REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA v.

BAKKE
Topic: Equality before the law

FACTS:
 Allan Bakke, a 35 year old white man, applied for admission
at the University of California Medical School
 He applied twice, but got rejected both times
 It was apparent that the University of California Medical
School reserved 16 of 100 to the minority in an effort to
redress unfair minority exclusions in medical schools
 It must be noted that Bakke was known to have a high GPA
and his admissions result exceeded those of the admitted
minority students
 Bakke challenges the constitutionality of the policy set forth
by the University; he argued that the said policy violates the
equal protection clause

ISSUE: WON such policy violates the equal protection clause

HELD:
 YES
 The Supreme Court held that the policy of the University
violates the equal protection clause
 The court held that race may be one of several factors in
admissions criteria. But the special admissions
committee that reserved spots for minorities is
unconstitutional.
 The quota system itself contravenes the goals sought by
considerations of race in the admission process because it
seeks to admit people solely on the basis of race.
 Where the goal is to have a diversified student body,
particularly a diversified set of ideals and principles, a quota
system in no way guarantees such diversity of
viewpoints.
 Powell ordered that petitioner be admitted because the
university could not prove he would have never been
admitted but for his race.