SUPREME COURT - Affirmative Action, Public College Admissions

"Supreme Court Hears Affirmative Action Challenges by Public College Applicants" PBS Newshour 10/10/2012

Excerpt

GWEN IFILL (Newshour): The Supreme Court heard arguments today in one of the most closely watched cases of the term. It marked a return to the decades-long legal debate over affirmative action.

The scene outside the Supreme Court building made clear just how anticipated this case has been.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the justices are considering whether it's constitutional for universities to use race in deciding who they admit.

The suit was brought by Abigail Fisher, a white honor roll student who was denied admission at the University of Texas at Austin in 2008.

Fisher, now 22, was in the court chamber today and later spoke briefly to reporters.

ABIGAIL FISHER, plaintiff: I hope the court rules that a student's race and ethnicity shouldn't be considered when applying to the University of Texas.

GWEN IFILL: Her lawyer, Bert Rein, said it comes down to equal protection under the law.

BERT REIN, attorney For Abigail Fisher: We have recognized that there are some interests in diversity that are beneficial in the educational sphere.

But we have said and we continue to say that is not an overriding consideration that has to be administered very narrowly, because -- because it's an odious and dangerous classification.