University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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During the Day of Silence in April, senior biology major Eileen Sagini demonstrates her support for affirmative action by wearing a black gag over her mouth. In the midst of the Supreme Court case, student activists wore these gags over the course of one day to make evident their presence on campus. Tedjasukmana photo into ft ' 1 isralW. A! Asisupp mmlwol offal ilncBJi) act could ansetorc HOWMU in lSAsn OK.NOK, Two University students celebrate the Supreme Court rulings in the affirmative action cases against the University. Opinions on campus varied as to whether or not the results were a victory, making protests on the Diag a fairly common occurrence. Tedja$uttmana photo A sidewalk on campus is chalked with affirmative action views. Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) was a coalition dedicated to upholding affirmative action. Tedjasukmana photo 66 Academics

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finked twenty-fifth in the nation among undergraduate schools by US News and World Report was a source of distinction for the University and an honor to the student body. Driving this award was the University ' s dedication to its students, pushing and challenging them through rigorous programs. Students prided themselves on being admitted into one of the top public schools across the nation. Establishing the University ' s outstanding reputation did not come without its fair share of struggles. While in Washington D.C. the Supreme Court scrutinized the admissions process in a trial that reached the nation; back on campus new-age courses generated heated opinions for their educational content. Underlying the intense debates was a community of students and administrators fighting diligently to save the diversity and open-mindedness that encompassed the spirit of the University. ... ' - University Seal -

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n June 23rd, the nation watched as the two lawsuits challenging the University ' s admission poli- cies came to a final decision by the United States Supreme Court. In Grutter v. Bellinger ct al., the case against the Law School, the Court held that diversity was a compelling interest in higher education, and that in an effort to achieve the educational benefits of a diverse student body, race was one of a number of factors that could be taken into account. The Law School ' s admissions process, which used an individualized, whole-file review, was found narrowly tailored to achieve the educational benefits of diversity. In the case against the College of Literature, Sci- ence, and the Arts, Gratz et al. v. Bellinger ct ai, the Court held that while race could be taken into account, the LSA ' s system allotting 20 points to students from underrepresented minority groups was not narrowly tailored and resembled a quota. Although the ruling was not an absolute victory for anyone, celebration could be heard from both sides. As a supporter of affirmative action, I was happy about the decision, said Nickole Fox, an LSA senior and a member of Students Supporting Affirmative Action. Race is very real in America and around the world. People of different backgrounds have different experiences. Having this diversity on campus is beneficial to students of all races and backgrounds. We cannot truly achieve racial and ethnic diversity if we ignore race in the admissions process, she added. While students from pro-affirmative action student groups celebrated the Court ' s ruling that race could be used as a factor and that diversity was an important educational benefit, their counterparts also had cause for celebration. Anti-affirmative action student groups cited the Court ' s decision as evidence that a part of the undergraduate admission ' s process was unconstitutional, as the point system was cited as unconstitutional. However, some also expressed concerns. The University ' s point system was knocked down, said Ruben Duran, an LSA senior and editor-in-chief of the Michigan Review. However, the earlier policy could not be a secretive one. Now, the University will not be as open about its admissions process. There will be no minimum GPA, test scores or any way to actually judge an applicant. While many students picked a clear for or against side when debating affirmative action, other students on campus were ambivalent about the decision. I could never completely make up my mind about affirmative action, said Sarah Packard, a Music School senior. Affirmative action is important because of the conditions dif- ferent people are in. However, I feel that it has created more racism. Although there is diversity in numbers at the University, the campus is still very segregated, and that makes me sad. D the aftermath of the affirmative action trials iyha Affirmative Action 67