Plain-English summary
Court bars race as a factor in college admissions and overrules Grutter v. Bollinger
In Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina (2023), the Supreme Court held that public and private colleges and universities may not use race as a factor in admissions and overruled Grutter v. Bollinger. The Court reversed the Fourth Circuit and limited universities’ ability to reject race-neutral alternatives.
Why this matters
The ruling removes a long-standing legal basis for colleges to pursue racial diversity through explicit consideration of applicants’ race. That reshapes admissions policies nationwide and forces universities to rely on race-neutral methods for generating diverse classes. It also alters how courts review claims about alternatives to race-conscious programs.
Who may feel it
- Applicants to public and private colleges and universities
- Higher education institutions and admissions offices
- State governments and education policymakers
- Students and communities concerned about campus racial diversity
- Organizations that litigate or advise on civil-rights and education law
Key questions
- Should the Court overrule Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) and bar colleges from using race in admissions?