Progress continued in the University of Michigan’s affirmative-action cases this semester, as the decision was made to send the case to the Supreme Court. A ruling is expected in March or April.

Two cases filed in 1997 by students denied admission to the university will be discussed at these hearings. All arguments were based on the students’ beliefs that they were rejected while less-qualified students of color gained admission.

Hanging in the balance is the 1978 Bakke decision, which allows universities to use race as a factor in admittance.

If the court rules against this decision, UM as well as any other universities nationwide who use similar systems will be expected to change their admission policies. However, if the court rules in favor of the Bakke decision, universities will be able to keep their existing policies.

UM openly admits to using race as an admission factor within its 150-point system. Admissions counselors rank students on a number of factors, number one being academic abilities.

The majority of these academic points are awarded based on a student’s grade point average. However, an outside 20 points are awarded to African American, Hispanic and American Indian students automatically because of their race.

Race is used as a factor at UM to create a diverse learning community for students.

“We must be able to assemble a diverse student body if we are to continue providing all students — regardless of their race — with the best possible educational environment,” UM president Mary Sue Coleman said in a statement earlier this month. “It is the only way we can prepare students to live and work effectively in our diverse democracy and in the global economy.”

So what’s next?

Charles Franklin, a University of Wisconsin political science professor, and Cliff Conrad, UW professor of higher education and educational administration, both said earlier in the semester that even if the court rules against UM, universities nationwide could find a way to slip through the admission cracks.

“Even if the court rules against Michigan, universities have been creative about getting around court decisions,” Conrad said.

The Supreme Court’s final rulings are expected in June and the freshman classes of 2004 could be the first affected by the decision.