Postponement of Oral Arguments in Admissions Cases

The oral argument in the appeal of the two cases challenging the University of Michigan's law school and undergraduate admissions programs has been postponed from October 23 until December 6, 2001. The arguments will now be held before all the judges of the Sixth Circuit, instead of the three-judge panel previously assigned to hear the case. A full court hearing is only granted in cases of national importance. The December 6 hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the federal courthouse in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The issues on appeal are the same important issues that have been present throughout the litigation: Does the constitution permit colleges and universities to pursue the educational benefits of diversity through race conscious admissions and if so, are the University's policies properly designed to pursue that goal? In the undergraduate case, the district court answered "yes" to both those questions with respect the University's current policy. CIR is appealing that ruling and the University has appealed the portion of the district court's ruling that invalidated the previous policy. In the Law School case, the district court answered "no" to both those questions and the University is appealing that ruling. The student intervenors' claims were denied in both cases and they are also appealing.

Copies of the parties' briefs and other important information regarding the appeals can be found on this website.

October 19, 2001