The Michigan Review

Judges Deny Student Interventions in U-M Affirmative Action Lawsuits

by Lee Bockhorn

Two judges have denied motions by student coalitions to intervene in the lawsuits challenging the University's affirmative action policies.

On July 6th, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman denied the motion of 41 students to become co-defendants in the lawsuit against the U-M Law School. Their petition was backed by the student groups United for Equality and Affirmative Action, Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, and Law Students for Affirmative Action.

One day later, U.S. District Judge Patrick Duggan denied a similar motion to intervene by 17 high school students. The motion was filed in February by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, and Citizens for Affirmative Action's Preservation. The motion targeted the lawsuit against the admissions policies of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.

U-M President Lee Bollinger said the University did not oppose the interventions. "We took a general neutral position on this case," he said.

Responding to criticism from the coaliton groups that the U-M would inadequately represent the interests of students, Bollinger replied, "My belief is that the University will fully defend the policy."

The lawsuits against the University have been filed by the Washington, D.C. based public interest law firm Center for Individual Rights (CIR). MR

This article was published in the Summer 1998 edition of The Michigan Review.
For questions or comments, see the Contact Information page.