Syracuse University to submit brief on affirmative action to Supreme Court

Syracuse University to submit brief on affirmative action to Supreme CourtFebruary 05, 2003Kevin Morrowkdmorrow@syr.edu

Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw has announced that Syracuse University has joined a group of primarily private colleges and universities that will submit an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief to the United States Supreme Court in support of the affirmative action programs at the University of Michigan. The Court is expected to rule this summer on two pending cases, Gruttinger v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, which challenge the University of Michigan’s undergraduate and law school admissions programs, respectively.

“Diversity is one of the five core values of Syracuse University. Achieving representation of students from a wide spectrum of groups is a compelling interest of higher education and fundamental to attaining maximum educational impact among all students,” says Shaw. “Research has shown that for education to be timely and relevant in an increasingly more global society, students must be exposed to and learn to interact with those who are unlike themselves. Attracting a critical mass of students representing an array of social, cultural, ethnic, religious, and other identities helps our students prepare for the world they will live and work in.”

Upon submission to the Court, the amicus curiae brief will be made available through the Syracuse University Library, the University’s website (http://sunews.syr.edu/amicus.htm) and the Chancellor’s Office. In addition, excerpts from the brief will be published in the Syracuse Record.