The US Supreme Court said Monday it will consider a Michigan effort to block affirmative action, possibly delaying a highly anticipated decision in another case involving racial preferences.
The nation’s highest court will take up Scuette vs. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action in its next session.
The case involves a Michigan state constitutional amendment passed through a 2006 referendum which prohibits public universities from granting preferential admission based on race or gender.
A lower court blocked the amendment and it will be up to the Supreme Court to determine if it conforms with the principles of equality enshrined in the US Constitution.
In taking up this case, it is likely that the nine justices will delay their highly anticipated ruling in a case heard last year concerning affirmative action at the University of Texas.
White student Abigail Fisher argued that she was rejected for admission due to her skin color. The university has quotas which permit admission on the basis of racial preference for under-represented minorities.
US Supreme Court to consider affirmative action
