Brief Fact Summary. White students brought suit against the University of Michigan for having racially bias admission policies.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. Admission criteria based on race must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling interest. Race may be considered in an individual assessment, but not as a sole or contributing factor for admission.

Facts. The University of Michigan receives a high volume of applicants each year to its College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA). To help with admission decisions, the University implements a point system. This point system is out of 100 points. A student that is from an underrepresented group automatically receives 20 points towards his or her over all score. The groups of students typically come from African-American, Hispanic, and Native American backgrounds. A student with extraordinary artistic talent only receives 5 points under the admission system. Also every student that is from an underrepresented group, and is otherwise qualified, is typically accepted into the school. A group of white student’s, that were determined qualified by the University, where denied admission.

Issue. Whether a School’s admission policy to automatically grant 20 out of 100 points to students of a minority ethnicity is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

Brief Fact Summary. A governor argues that his State should not be bound to the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, and tried to legislate against it.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land; Supreme Court Cases are binding upon all the States.

Facts. A state governor wishes to have the state legislature make it legal to segregate children in school based on his or her race. The Governor’s argument is one that the case is only binding until the state legislates otherwise, and that the case of Brown v. Board of Education should not be binding on the state.

Issue. Whether a state is bound by all Supreme Court Case decisions.