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©jp Soily (Bar Hrri High court examines race in admissions Court ultimately rules in UM’s favor BY JENNIFER SAMUELS ASSISTANT STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR APRIL 1, WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court heard two cases Tuesday that might change the face of higher educa tion by making it unconstitution al for public colleges and universi ties to use race as a factor in admissions. The justices and lawyers debat ed in front of a packed chamber heatedly at times whether the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s use of race-based admis sions in both its Law School and undergraduate college violate the legal mandate that guarantees all citizens equal protection under the law. The suits also claim that UM’s policies encroach on Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which requires an assurance of equality from institutions that receive fed eral funds. The lawsuits were filed by three white UM applicants Jennifer Gratz and Patrick Hamacher, who applied as undergraduates in 1995, and Barbara Grutter, who applied in 1997 to the UM Law School— who say they were denied admis sion in favor of minority candi dates with similar qualifications. UM lawyers in both cases stressed that race is not a deciding factor in whether a student is admitted. Rather, said Maureen Mahoney, who represents the Law School, minority status necessi tates special consideration because it constitutes something unique that will add significantly to the climate of the university. Between frequent interruptions from the justices, Mahoney said the real question is whether diver sity considerations are acceptable grounds for discrimination. “When someone applies whether they are white or not they are considered on merits like 35 Chinese has the best variety of Chinese food around. You can choose from over 50 Items on our Super Buffet or order from the extensive menu. Lunch 11 am-2:3opm Friday/Saturday Dinner 4:3opm-10pm Sunday-Thursday Dinner 4:3opm-9:3opm yS/ST LOW FAT* NO MSG 143 W. Franklin Street • Chapel Hill 919.968.3488 • www.citysearch.com/rdu/35 • fax 919.968.0268 ■\ / I CONFETTIALL TEAR LONG. RELOADABLE CARDS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN $lO &S2O AMOUNTS. 213 W. Franklin Street Just in front of Granville Towers Phone-929-91*9 faK ' M * 9lBS C V E *>> Mon-Thurs 6:3oam-9pm ; Jf- > 'ss& Fri/Set 6:3o*m-10pm • Sunday 7:30m 9pm WWW.prabr*d.COm €BOO3 Panera Bread All Right* Heeenred. everyone else,” she said. Mahoney also said the Law School's diversity is highly valued and supported by students. But Kirk Kolbo, legal counsel for both Gratz and Grutter, argued that race is not always a valid indi cation of minority status because socioeconomic factors affect all groups. “Race itself should not be a fac tor,” Kolbo said. “We need to get away from the notion that there is a right number.” The university also was ques tioned as to whether reducing its selectivity would decrease its need for race- based admissions. Controversy arose in both cases as to whether preference for minorities constitutes a quota. Justice Clarence Thomas, the only black member of the court and an opponent of affirmative action, broke his silence once dur ing the hearing to accuse the UM Law School of placing its elitism above selectivity. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who along with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is considered a poten tial swing vote, said he thinks UM’s procedure of awarding members of preferred minority groups 20 points is a disguised quota system. UM admissions officials have been strongly criticized for the dis proportionate point value placed on minority status. Other areas that can earn a stu dent points include 12 points for standardized test scores, 10 points for Michigan resident status and up to five points for extracurricular involvement. The difference between setting a quota and a goal for minority enrollment is flexibility, Kennedy said. But John Payton, who repre sented the undergraduate pro gram, argued that the overarching Year in Review M DTH FILE PHOTO/GARRETT HALL Students from UNC-Chapel Hill join thousands of demonstrators outside the Supreme Court to defend affirmative action policies. goal of the point system is to elim inate disparities between different groups on campus. “Critical mass is when you have a number of those students so they feel comfortable acting as individ uals,” Payton said. “We are just get ting to the critical mass.” After the hearing, former UM President Lee Bollinger, who is named as the defendant in both suits, said he is “very, very opti mistic” about the outcome of the case. Bollinger, now president of Columbia University, said that if UM’s race-based admissions poli cies are struck down, it will be a tragic blow for higher education across the country. “The legacy of Brown v. Board of Education, which has set the idea of society as integrated, remains... and is really the critical point,” he said. “We need to prepare students for the world.” Contact the State S9 National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu. Ik, •ijf Jr L<w One Located Near You II 1 iffwi Voted Students’#l Tanning Salon ' a/'M: Jff a mj m Cheapest Rates Around * m W i * Cleanest Salon in Town JL&Ue 919-942-7177 919-933-2117 TAN YOUR HIDE TAN YOUR HIDE 2 1 5-501 & Smith Level Rd. 1 51 E. Rosemary St. /W 2004 A Reserve your apartment now for next school year and beat the rush. Waitlist in December and receive 2 MONTHS FREE and a FREE WASHER/DRYER. Also, ask about our Dorm Cancellation Rate. You can move in January and get the absolute lowest rate possible and save a ton of money! Our residents enjoy these fabulous amenities: • huge poo); • beautiful wooded views • free tanning beds • 2 miles from campus • 24 hr fitness center *• •-.resident activities • (pine room • dvd library • pet friendly atmosphere • guest suite Highland Hills APARTMENTS Town sends message to UNC with council vote BY JENNY HUANG, NICK EBERLEIN AND RYAN C. TUCK ASSISTANT CITY EDITORS NOV. 4 After months of intense candidate forums, fund raising and policy debate, incum bents Bill Strom and Jim Ward and newcomers Sally Greene and Cam Hill were elected Tuesday to the Chapel Hill Town Council. A resident who gained promi nence during debates over UNC’s controversial proposal to build a parking deck and a chiller plant near the Ghimghoul neighbor hood called the results “a wake-up call” to the University and town. “We elect people who have no ties to the University,” said Gene Pease, president of the Ghimghoul Homeowners Association. “The single thing that’s going to change this town is UNC’s devel opment over the next few years. What I hope is that both the (Town Council) and the University get smarter about development.” Pease is a founder of the newly formed Coalition of Neighbors Near Campus. The group advocates for protection of area neighbor hoods and paid for half-page ads touting Greene, Hill and Strom that ran in the days before the election. Hill has been the election sea son’s most vocal critic of University development policy, while Strom was one of two council members who voted against the changes to UNC’s Development Plan. Greene works on the advisory committee for the Northside neighborhood, the town’s first-ever candidate for conservation status. Candidate Andrea Rohrbaclier, who finished in sixth place, joined Greene, Hill and Strom at Crook’s Comer to await the evening’s elec tion results. “The major issue (dur ing the race) was the parking deck and chiller plant,” she said. “It brought the issue of neighborhood preservation to the campaign.” Ward celebrated his victory with friends and family at his cam paign manager’s house. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2004 TmiEBEWniBT' DTH FILE PHOTO/GARRETT HALL Cam Hill celebrates his election to the Chapel Hill Town Council on Nov. 4, joining victors Sally Greene, Bill Strom and Jim Ward on the board. Ward generally has been mod erate in dealing with University growth. He voted in favor of the changes to the Development Plan but was critical of UNC’s desire to widen South Columbia Street. Greene attributed her win to the resonance of her campaign issues, topped by green infrastructure. “I’m feeling wonderful, really grat ified and a little bit humbled. It’s really about what the voters want for the town. They believe I could do what they want.” Greene added that the cumula tive effect of advocacy groups’ sup port most likely influenced voters. “(The endorsements) ratified the broad support that I had.” Strom, who is finishing his first term on the council, said it is an honor to be re-elected. “Chapel Hill voters have been paying very close attention to the Town Counril. It’s an affirmation of my first term.” In regards to Greene’s election, Strom said, “I am excited to serve on the council with someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and bring information forward.” Hill said he is eager to work with council members on issues such as affordable housing and local development. “It’s going to be M*UrgemCare M~F~Bam~Bpm ***** H Sat. ~Bam-6 pm We accept all major •'■ i-' insurance plans and s I 3m No Appointment Necessary . Just a subtle reminder: Were perfect f for large parties. w The Melting Pot. a fondue restaurant Dip into something differentf 3100 Wake Forest Road Raleigh No matter what the size of your party, you’ll find the Melting Pot is always very accommodating. Enjoy fabulous four-course fondue dinners, fine wines and fun conversation. L, W . For reservations, 0: call (919) 878-0477 www.meltingpot.com jt A * rw v dnjf fun working on the council. I’m looking forward to it.” Ward said that he looks forward to continuing his public service and to tackling the diverse slate of issues that lie ahead. “I’m excited about the new opportunities we have to energize the town,” he said. He added that the approval of all five bonds in the town’s package is a boon to the council’s ability to address the changing dynamics and needs of Chapel Hill. Former council member Alan Rimer said Ward’s extensive knowledge of the issues and decades-long service to the town are critical because come January, half the council members will have less than a full term’s experience. “If (the town) lost Jim and Bill from the council, there would be no experience,” Rimer added. Ward said he looks forward to serving with his two new counter parts. “Campaigns have a tendency to draw lines between candidates. “But suddenly you’re on the same side of the table as each other and working together for the same town and its people.” Contact the City Editor : * citydesk@unc.edu. 5
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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