A federal appeals court panel has ruled that the University of Texas can continue using race in its undergraduate admissions.
A 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans ruled 2-1 Tuesday that barring the University of Texas from "limited use of race" would hurt diversity on campus.
The university was sued in 2008 by Abigail Fisher, who is white, for being denied admission.
The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court last year. But rather than issue a landmark decision on affirmative action, the high court voted 7-1 to tell a lower appeals court to take another look at Fisher's lawsuit.
The university said at the time that that decision would have no effect on its admissions policies.
Fisher's attorneys said they plan to appeal Tuesday's ruling.
University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers responded to Tuesday's ruling with the following statement:
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
“We are very pleased with the Court’s ruling recognizing the constitutionality of the University’s admissions policy under the Supreme Court’s recent guidance.
“We remain committed to assembling a student body at The University of Texas at Austin that brings with it the educational benefits of diversity while respecting the rights of all students. This ruling ensures that our campus, our state and the entire nation will benefit from the exchange of ideas and thoughts that happens when students who are diverse in all regards come together in the classroom, at campus events and in all aspects of campus life.”
