Powered by Law Students: Don’t know your Bloomberg Law login? Register here Brief Fact Summary. The Respondent, Bakke (Respondent), a white applicant to the University of California, Davis Medical School, sued the University, alleging his denial of admission on racial grounds was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution (Constitution). Synopsis of Rule of Law. Although race may be a factor in determining admission to public educational institutions, it may not be a sole determining factor. Points of Law - Legal Principles in this Case for Law Students. Equal protection analysis in the Fifth Amendment area is the same as that under the Fourteenth Amendment. View Full Point of Law
Facts. The University of California, Davis Medical School reserved 16 spots out of the 100 in any given class for “disadvantaged minorities.” The Respondent, when compared to students admitted under the special admissions program, had more favorable objective indicia of performance, while his race was the only distinguishing characteristic. The Respondent sued, alleging that the special admissions program denied him equal protection of laws under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. Issue. Held. The special admissions program is unconstitutional, but race may be considered as a factor in the admissions process. Dissent. Discussion. J. Powell’s basic problem with the special admissions program is this: there are 84 places open for white applicants and 100 positions open for minority applicants. This differential treatment solely on racial grounds is unconstitutional, according to J. Powell. It is important to note that in Bakke, the Court did not technically hold the special admissions program unconstitutional. J. Stevens and the three other Justices joining his opinion do not reach the constitutional issue because of the federal statute. What did the case of Regents of the University of California v Bakke involve quizlet?In Regents of University of California v. Bakke , the Supreme Court ruled that a university's use of racial quotas in its admissions process was unlawful, but a school's use of "affirmative action" to accept more outvoted candidates was constitutional in some circumstances. You just studied 8 terms!
What was the result of the Supreme Court decision in Bakke?There was no single majority opinion. Four of the justices contended that any racial quota system supported by government violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., agreed, casting the deciding vote ordering the medical school to admit Bakke.
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