Michigan: Affirmative Action Suit Settled

by E Wayne Ross on February 5, 2007

The New York Times: Michigan: Affirmative Action Suit Settled

A lawsuit that prompted a 2003 Supreme Court decision over affirmative action admissions policies at the University of Michigan has been settled, concluding a nearly decade-long battle. The university will pay $10,000 each to the lead plaintiffs, Jennifer Gratz and Patrick Hamacher, to cover miscellaneous costs, both sides said. In exchange, the two agreed to drop all claims under a nearly 40,000-member class-action lawsuit against the university over its former affirmative action admissions policies. In June 2003, the Supreme Court upheld a general affirmative action policy at Michigan’s law school but struck down its undergraduate formula, which awarded admission points based on race. Ms. Gratz and Mr. Hamacher had sued over the undergraduate formula. In November, Michigan voters approved a ban on the use of race and gender preferences in university admissions and government hiring.