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California v. Bakke
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California v. Bakke
By: Tyler Davis, Carlton Emerson, & Nathan Butler
Overview
Who was involved?
Regents of the University of California and Allen Bakke
Who was involved?
What happened?
Allen Bakke, a white male, had been denied to the UC Davis medical school twice, two years in a row despite having better test scores and being more qualified than any of the minorities admitted to fill UC Davis' affirmative action quota (16 reserved spots in a class of 100).
Where and when did it occur?
The case was argued on Oct. 12, 1977, and it occured in the State of California.
Where and when did it occur?
How and why did it go to SCOTUS?
District Court
Bakke brought a lawsuit in Yolo County Superior Court. The court ruled in favor of Bakke, stating that the program was unconstitutional and in violation of Title VI. However, they did not rule that Bakke should be admitted to the school, so both parties appealed.
Supreme Court of California
Due to the seriousness of the case, the Supreme Court of California decided to hear the case, and ended up siding with Bakke. The court ruled that the university was no longer allowed use race in the admissions process.
Supreme Court of the Untied States
Because this paticular case dealt with the an interpretation or application of the U.S. Constitution, the SCOTUS filed a writ of certiorari with the supreme court of California to hear the case and make a decision. They too sided with Bakke, but ruled that race can be used as an admission criteria as long as there are no quotas.
Ruling
What was the SCOTUS ruling?
The ruling was 8-1 in favor of Bakke with only Justice White siding with California.
What was the SCOTUS ruling?
Main Argument: Prosecution
The major argument for the side of Bakke stated that the rejections were a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause.
Main Argument: Prosecution
Main Argument: Defense
However on the other side argued that they had to set aside the 16 spots for qualified minorities because of an Affirmative Action program. They even used nine Amicus Curiae briefs from various universities and organizations to strengthen their position.
Opinion of the Court
After hearing the oral arguments of both sides, the court held a conference. 4 justices as well as Justice Powell agreed that any racial quota system violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and allowed for the admittance of Bakke. However three other justices accompanied by Powell found that race could be used as a factor in college admissions.
Impact
Why is this a landmark case?
It allowed a student’s race to be a factor in the admissions process for colleges and universities as long as there were not any quotas
Why is this a landmark case?
Does it deal with any amendments?
It deals with the 14th amendment because Bakke was arguing the “equal protection clause” which is stated in the 14th amendment.
Does it deal with any branches of gov't?
It deals with the judicial branch because they were the ones who decided on this ruling. It also deals with the Executive Branch because the public school being sued was being funded by the Department of Education.