Bakke v. University of California

Definition

The Bakke v. University of California case was a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1978 that challenged affirmative action policies in college admissions. The court ruled that while the use of race as a factor in admissions is constitutional, the use of racial quotas is not.

Related terms

Affirmative action: It refers to policies or programs aimed at increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups by considering their race, gender, or other characteristics during the admissions process.

Quotas: These are fixed numbers or percentages that allocate spots based on specific criteria, such as race or gender.

Equal protection clause: This clause from the Fourteenth Amendment ensures that individuals are treated equally under the law without discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.