Question

In 1978 and in 2003, which compelling reason did the Supreme Court accept to allow universities to consider applicants' race during the admissions process?

a) Affirmative Action is needed to remedy past discrimination against minorities;
b) Affirmative Action is needed to achieve diversity on campus in student body;
c) Affirmative Action does not cause reverse discrimination;
d) all of the above.

Answer 1

The Supreme Court has accepted diversity on campus in the student body as a compelling reason to allow universities to consider race during admissions in the Bakke and Grutter cases. The Court approved affirmative action as long as it is not quota-based.

Step-by-step explanation:

The compelling reason the Supreme Court accepted to allow universities to consider applicants' race during the admissions process in 1978 and in 2003 was to achieve diversity on campus in the student body. This intent was reflected in the landmark cases of Bakke v. California in 1978 and Grutter v. Bollinger in 2003. In both instances, the Court found that considerations of race as part of a holistic admissions process to foster diversity were permissible but emphasized that racial quotas were unconstitutional.

It was deemed that affirmative action policies that seek to redress past discrimination by considering race as one of multiple factors—without imposing quotas—can contribute to the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body.

The Supreme Court rulings indicate that while affirmative action policies are permissible, they must remain narrowly tailored, cannot be based on fixed quotas, and must periodically prove they are still necessary and effective. Therefore, the answer to the student's question is (b) Affirmative Action is needed to achieve diversity on campus in student body.