Initiative Banning Race-Sensitive Admissions at Public Universities in Michigan Is Upheld by a Federal Court

A federal district court judge in Michigan has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposal 2 which was enacted by a wide margin by voters in 2006. The initiative bans the use of race in admissions decisions at the University of Michigan and other state-operated educational institutions.

In his ruling Judge David Lawson said that the plaintiffs failed to show that the initiative specifically targeted minorities with discriminatory intent.

The suit was brought by the group By Any Means Necessary in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union. An appeal to a higher court is planned.