A Case About Diversity: The Affirmative Action Lawsuits at the University of Michigan

Exhibit Dates: January 7, 2006 until January 25, 2006

Description: The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will host the exhibition "A Case About Diversity: The Affirmative Action Lawsuits at the University of Michigan," from January 7-25, 2006. The tour of the exhibition is made possible by the University of Michigan with a grant from the Ford Foundation.

"This is an important educational exhibit presenting the historical context of affirmative action in higher education as well as the current issues," said Marvin Krislov, U-M's vice president and general counsel. "We hope everyone will see it to get a better understanding of the issues and participate in the debate," he said.

The exhibit, designed as a traveling educational presentation by students from the Museum Studies Program and the School of Art & Design, features photo images, as well as extensive interpretative material designed to present both sides of the two historic affirmative action lawsuits brought against the University that led to important U.S. Supreme Court decisions. One case was brought by two undergraduate applicants and the other by a Law School applicant. The plaintiffs maintained that they were discriminated against because the University considers race as one of many factors in the admissions process. The exhibit's panels depict the history of diversity at the University leading to the affirmative action cases, and actions taken by the University to ensure and expand diversity on campus. They also place the U-M lawsuits in a national, historical context.

In both of the affirmative action cases the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the principle that gives colleges and universities the freedom to consider race as one of many factors in admissions decisions. The Law School admissions process was upheld in its entirety. In the undergraduate case, the Court found that the University's admissions process, which used a point system to help select students, was not narrowly tailored to achieve the goal of diversity and therefore was unconstitutional, insofar as a specific number of points were awarded to members of particular minority groups. As a result, the Office of Undergraduate Studies developed a new process that involves a more individualized, holistic review and does not use points.

"We are very pleased to have this exhibition come to NMC." says Diversity Services Coordinator; Lisa Blackford at Northwestern Michigan College, "we hope to engage college bound students and our own NMC students, who will be transferring to four year schools, on this important topic of relevance to their college experience."

The exhibit was organized by the University of Michigan and funded by the Ford Foundation, Butzel Long and the University of Michigan. For more information about the exhibit, visit on-line at http://www.umich.edu/pres/aate/.