Home Press Center CEO Files Brief with the Supreme Court in Michigan Cases

CEO Files Brief with the Supreme Court in Michigan Cases

Wednesday, 15 January 2003

Contact: Roger Clegg (703)421-5443 Urges Court to Reject “Diversity” Justification for Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (Sterling, VA) — Today the Center for Equal Opportunity filed a brief with the Supreme Court, urging the justices to reject the University of Michigan’s use of racial and ethnic preferences in its admission decisions.  The American Civil Rights Institute and the Independent Women’s Forum also joined the brief, which was drafted by Mark Pickrell and CEO general counsel Roger Clegg.  The brief has been posted on CEO’s website, www.ceousa.org.     CEO’s brief urges the Court to resolve the fundamental issue in the case, namely whether a desire for greater student body “diversity” justifies racial and ethnic discrimination.  The brief argues that such discrimination is widespread, citing studies that CEO has conducted at 57 undergraduate institutions in eight different states (as well as the service academies at West Point and Annapolis), at medical schools in six different states, and at three Virginia law schools.  The studies are also posted on CEO’s website.  The brief argues that, if the diversity issue is not resolved, then this discrimination will almost certainly continue.     The brief then discusses why the diversity rationale should be rejected.  In particular, it points out that the rationale hinges on dubious social science evidence, and notes that the same kind of “evidence” was used to justify segregation.     CEO president Linda Chavez stressed the importance of the issues presented, stating "racial and ethnic discrimination in university admissions is a serious, nationwide problem."  She said that a series of studies by the Center for Equal Opportunity "has established that preferential admissions are both wide and deep.  A great many colleges use them, and the degree of preference awarded is often dramatic, particularly among the more selective schools."      Chavez also said, “An end to the use of racial and ethnic preferences in university admissions is essential for the continued progress of race relations in the United States.  If preferences are ended, all races will win.  If they aren't, we will all lose.  And none will lose more than the supposed 'beneficiaries' of such discrimination.  African Americans and Latinos are now being told that they cannot be expected to succeed unless they are held to a lower standard than whites and Asians.  That is insulting, and undermines the mutual respect that is essential in an increasingly multiethnic, multiracial America."