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A Question of Fairness

Should a person's race help determine whether he or she can attend a university? Last week, President George W. Bush announced that his administration would take a side on that question in a lawsuit that is headed to the Supreme Court.

White House lawyers will present an argument on behalf of white students who were not admitted to the University of Michigan. University rules allow officials to consider students' race when deciding who gets in. The policy favors students who are black, Hispanic or Native American.

"The motivation for such an admissions policy may be very good," said the President. "But its result is discrimination." The case will go to the Supreme Court in March.

Rules that give minorities increased opportunities by favoring them in school admissions or jobs are called affirmative action programs. Their purpose is to make up for past discrimination, when unfair laws prevented minorities from attending universities or getting good jobs.

University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman says the school's program is fair and not unconstitutional.

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