What did the Supreme Court decide in University of California vs. Bakke?

In the case of University of California vs. Bakke, the Supreme Court determined that while affirmative action policies aimed at increasing diversity in educational institutions are permissible, the use of strict racial quotas in admissions processes is unconstitutional. This ruling allowed institutions to consider race as one factor among many in their admissions decisions to promote diversity and rectify historical inequities.

The Court's decision recognized the importance of affirmative action in ensuring equal opportunities for historically marginalized groups, while at the same time establishing that setting aside a specific number of seats for applicants based solely on their race is an unlawful practice. This nuanced approach aimed to strike a balance between promoting diversity and upholding the principle of equal protection under the law.

This ruling influenced subsequent affirmative action policies and court decisions, establishing a precedent that supports the use of race as a consideration in admissions without reducing it to a numeric quota system.