Which statement best summarizes the Grutter v. Bollinger decision on affirmative action?

• A. Race cannot be used in admissions decisions.
• B. Race may be used as a factor in admissions to achieve diversity; narrowly tailored under strict scrutiny.
• C. Quotas are required to promote diversity.
• D. Race must be the sole determinant of admissions.

Answer: (B)

The point is that using race as one factor among many can be constitutional if it helps achieve a diverse student body and is done in a narrowly tailored way under strict scrutiny. In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court approved the University of Michigan Law School’s policy because diversity is a compelling educational interest, and the admissions process used race as a plus factor within a holistic, individualized review rather than as a quota or automatic determinant. The plan avoided fixed quotas and did not make race the sole determinant of admission; instead, it considered a range of factors to evaluate applicants.

So, the best summary is that race may be used as a factor to promote diversity, but only as part of a careful, individualized process that is narrowly tailored under strict scrutiny.