In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that “race can be a factor for universities shaping their admissions programs.” However, it cannot be a large factor for the schools’ admissions programs due to the fact that it may lead to unconstitutional policies.

However, in a separate decision, the courts system put the hammer down on a “point system” utilized by a University of Michigan law school, which gave “race less prominence in the admissions decision-making process.” The ultimate vote in the courts was 5-4 for the law school program, and the undergrad program ending in a vote of 6-3. This decision will most likely have a large effect on the majority of private colleges and universities as well as government decision-making and the business world, as all are attempting to boost minority’s enrollment without being unconstitutional.

These two cases from the University of Michigan 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” (CNN Justice).