1st LD Writethru: U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of affirmative action program

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld an affirmative action program at the University of Texas that takes race into consideration when issuing admissions.

By voting 4-3, the Supreme Court gave the university the greenlight to continue its race-conscious admission program but urged the university to continue the review of its admission program.

"The Court's affirmance of the University's admissions policy today does not necessarily mean the University may rely on that same policy without refinement," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote on behalf of the majority.

"It is the University's ongoing obligation to engage in constant deliberation and continued reflection regarding its admissions policies," wrote Justice Kennedy.

It was the second time the Supreme Court heard the case filed by plaintiff Abigail Fisher, a white woman from Texas who said the university had denied her admission in 2008 because of her race.

Under the University of Texas's admission program, the top 10 percent of students in every high school in the state are guaranteed admission to the university. To fill the remaining places, the university selects students under standards which include race and ethnicity.

The ruling came about four months after the sudden death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who during oral arguments last December questioned whether admitting more black students would eventually benefit those students.

"They (black scientists) come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they're being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them," said Scalia. "I don't think it stands to reason that it's a good thing for the University of Texas to admit as many blacks as possible."

Justice Elena Kagan did not participate in the voting, recusing herself because she worked on the case as U.S. solicitor general before joining the Supreme Court in 2010. Endit