Policy

Obama Administration Supports Racial Preferences in College Admissions

Justice Department asks SCOTUS not to interfere with guidelines in University of Texas case.

|

The Obama administration on Monday threw its support behind the University of Texas' use of race as a standard in its admissions policies, asking the Supreme Court not to interfere with the consideration of racial preferences in college admissions.

The Justice Department, in a court brief co-signed by several other government agencies, told the high court that a diverse college population was in the university's—and the government's—best interests. "The armed services and numerous federal agencies have concluded that well-qualified and diverse graduates are crucial to the fulfillment of their missions," Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli said.