Howard University files brief in University of Michigan admissions case

Jet, March 17, 2003

Howard University recently filed a brief supporting the University of Michigan in its U.S. Supreme Court battle to preserve its admissions policy.

Howard University's president, H. Patrick Swygert, said: "It is the position of Howard University that there is a compelling national interest for institutions of higher education having student populations that show a historic under-representation of various ethnic groups to engage in sustained and substantial efforts to promote racial and ethnic diversity within the student body."

Swygert continued: "Howard University believes that such efforts should be used to assist students to function fully, fairly, and effectively in a pluralistic society. The courts should defer to the expertise of educational institutions and not require a showing of specific discrimination by such institutions before they are permitted to use race-conscious admission criteria."

The University of Michigan is in the midst of a battle in the U.S. Supreme Court over its admissions policy. The outcome of the case could have nationwide repercussions on affirmative action. At stake is the constitutionality of the program.