Examines the important components of the University of Michigan's defense of its affirmative action practices and considers the significance of the upcoming lawsuit to the public debate on affirmative action in higher education. "The Compelling Need for Diversity in Higher Education," prepared by experts in defense of the university's…

Synthesizes and interprets information from the forthcoming report on race and higher education "Compelling Interests: Examining the Evidence on Racial Dynamics in Colleges and Universities" to be published by Teachers College Press. Reviews four misconceptions about affirmative action and college admission. Research demonstrates the continuing…

James Traub, in his report for the "New York Times Magazine," suggests that some "adaptive" techniques, such as cascading applicants to other colleges and particular administrative approaches, will provide the benefits of affirmative action without its drawbacks. This is a misleading message. Adaptive techniques will not offset…

In spite of the results of referenda in California and Washington and some troubling judicial decisions, there are some important signs that well-conceived affirmative action policies will survive. The "Hopwood" decision is based on arguments that have not persuaded other courts. Affirmative action cannot be taken for granted, but it is not dead.…

Conducted a series of analyses of existing data, not collected for the University of Michigan's litigation, on diversity in higher education. These data consistently confirm that racial diversity and student involvement in activities related to diversity have strong and direct effects on learning. Students may be most affected by what they learn…

Describes an analysis of the consequences of abandoning race as a factor in law school admissions. Addresses the importance of student diversity in the context of legal education. Analysis of data for 90,335 students shows that without consideration of race, the most selective U.S. law schools would be unable to enroll more than a few minority…

Describes the benefits of racially diverse student bodies at law schools. A diverse legal profession enhances the appearance of justice and increases public confidence that the system is unbiased and accessible to all. Citizens cannot respect a system of justice that appears to perpetuate prejudice and exclude certain people from its…

Data from more than 60,000 college students indicate a statistically significant association between attendance at the most selective institutions and a variety of accomplishments in college and later life. Race-neutral admission would damage the prospects for developing a larger minority presence in the corporate and professional leadership of…