Issues of the Case

Grutter v. Bollinger involved a challenge to the University of Michigan's law school affirmative action program. This case was brought before the Supreme Court after Grutter was victorious in U.S. District Court, but lost in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Grutter appealed that ruling in the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court. This case “tested whether the university is allowed to discriminate because it values diversity in its student body, or whether discrimination is only justified to reverse past racial injustice. “ (http://www.npr.org/news/specials/michigan/) It brought to light whether minorities were being accepted to colleges based on their qualifications or simply based on their race. It was a unique case because it was the first time a white student claimed she was being discriminated. “The University of Michigan cases were the most significant test of affirmative action to reach the court in a generation. At issue was whether racial preference programs unconstitutionally discriminate against white students.” (http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/06/23/scotus.affirmative.action/)

The University of Michigan cases were the most noteworthy test of affirmative action in recent years. The University used a point system for admissions, they ranked each applicant on a 150-point scale, with 100 points generally resulting in admission to the college. Belonging to a historically discriminated-against racial group resulted in an automatic bonus of 20 points. “The university acknowledges it has used race as a factor in admissions, relying on a complicated point scale to rate applicants. Grades and academics are most important, but members of "under-represented" racial and ethic minority groups have received extra points.” (http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/06/23/scotus.affirmative.action/) Grutter’s lawyers argued that this was unconstitutional and gave minority students an unfair advantage, “equivalent to a full grade point on a student's GPA.” (http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/06/23/scotus.affirmative.action/)

This case confirmed and polished the Supreme Court's position on affirmative action. “The Court made clear that affirmative action programs are only constitutional if they consider race as one factor in an individualized evaluation, and only to achieve the goal of "class diversity." (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/future/landmark_grutter.html)
This case allowed affirmative action plans to stay in place, but set a precedent for other schools to not make it the most important factor when considering a student for admissions.