Mock Trial: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

    The Supreme Court case Regents of the University of California v. Bakke marked a significant turning point in the debate over affirmative action policies in higher education. This case was centered around issues that dealt with racial equality and access to adequate education for everyone.

    This case began with Allan Bakke, a 35-year-old white male student, who'd applied twice for admission into the University of California Medical School at Davis.  As part of its Affirmative Action Program, the University reserved 16 spots in each entering class of 100 for qualified minority applicants. This program was aimed at addressing historical underrepresentation of racial minorities in the medical field. 

    Bakke argued that both his test scores and College GPA exceeded the qualification of any of the minority students that had been admitted during the two years Bakke was rejected. Bakke conceded that not only was he excluded from admissions solely based on race, but continued to argue that his rights under the Equal Protection Clause had been violated by the University of California Medical School. 

    The central issue in this case was whether UC Davis' affirmative action policy violated the Equal Protection clause and the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As we know, "The 14th Amendment states, 'No state shall... deny to any person with its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.'" Bakke's legal team argued that the affirmative action program was unconstitutional, claiming reverse discrimination - violation of the idea that an individual's race should not be considered under any circumstance. 

    The University of California defended its affirmative action program by emphasizing the need to counteract the system racism that had continued to disadvantage minorities for over a century. UC Davis' claimed, "The Fourteenth Amendment states that people should be treated equally, not the same," This allows room for policies that can provide opportunities to minority applicants. Furthermore, the program was not exclusive to racial minorities; White applicants who faced educational or economic disadvantages were considered as well.

    In the end, no side specifically won the case. The Supreme Court struck down the University's use of racial quotas, deeming them unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Justice Lewis Powell reasoned that a quota system in which excluded individuals solely based on race constituted racial discrimination, which the 14th Amendment prohibits.

    Nevertheless, the Court also recognized the legitimacy of the affirmative action program, which was meant to foster a diverse community, and address past discrimination.