National Urban League Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision in University of Michigan Case

June 23, 2003

New York, NY, June 23, 2003—The National Urban League applauded the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the University of Michigan Law School’s admissions polices, thereby reaffirming its Bakke decision and stating unequivocally that the government has a compelling interest in promoting diversity in education and the workplace.

“This is an historic victory for America and a reaffirmation of the nation's commitment to equality and diversity, ” National Urban League president Marc Morial stated.

“The University of Michigan Law School should be lauded for taking on this fight. The efforts of a broad coalition of leaders in the civil rights movement, labor unions such as the AFL-CIO, Fortune 500 companies, and more than two dozen of the nation's top former military officers are also due applause for their courage and conviction.

“With this decision, the Court has made clear that diversity and excellence are not mutually exclusive. Affirmative action is a critical tool that can help universities achieve a student body that is diverse, racially integrated, capable, and multi-talented.

“For US companies to compete in an increasingly global economy, they must be able to access a diverse pool of talented students from the best schools so that they can train, promote, and build a high caliber workforce capable of meeting the needs of customers in the global marketplace.

“This is why a diverse and racially integrated campus benefits all students and ultimately, all of America.”

Noting that the Court stuck down the “points system” in the University of Michigan’s undergraduate admissions policy, Mr. Morial stated, “It is extremely important that citizens realize that the Court did not reject affirmative action, it rejected Michigan’s specific scoring system.

“The Court clearly upheld the argument that the government has a compelling interest in promoting diversity in education and the workplace.”

In February, the League filed an amicus brief supporting affirmative action in admissions policies at the University of Michigan. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Los Angeles and the National Rainbow/PUSH Coalition also signed on to the Urban League brief.

The law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. represented the Urban League in its petition. The attorneys who argued the petition are based in the firm's Los Angeles office, and are a part of Akin, Gump's Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Practice Group. Attorneys for the brief include: William A. Norris, Counsel of Record; Michael C. Small; L. Rachel Helyar; and Jonathan Gottlieb.

The brief argued that because racial disparities stemming from past discriminatory practices continue to affect our nation's institutions at all levels, affirmative action remains the most effective tool for higher education institutions committed to educating a diverse student body that is reflective of the larger society.

“Our country has come a long way toward racial equality, but we have further to go,” Mr. Morial stated.

“With its decisions, the Supreme Court is demonstrating that affirmative action programs that take race into account are an effective means towards accomplishing this.”

The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the nonprofit, nonpartisan movement, while Urban League affiliates operate in more than 100 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

Contact: Max Smith. 212-558-5371
Non Profit News: msmith@nul.org