<i>Grutter v. Bollinger</i>: Race as a Factor in Public Higher Education Admissions Policies

In Grutter v. Bollinger, the United States Supreme Court held that the University of Michigan Law School's goal of student body diversity was a compelling interest. The Court concluded that the Law School's narrowly tailored race-based admissions program was not prohibited by the Equal Protection Clause because it furthered "a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body." This decision was unexpected in light of affirmative action rulings which have limited the use of race in admission programs.