University of California vs. Bakke

University of California v. Bakke was a 1978 Supreme Court case addressing affirmative action in college admissions. Allan Bakke, a white man, sued UC Davis for setting aside spots specifically for minority applicants, claiming it was reverse discrimination. The Court ruled that while race can be a factor in admissions, strict quotas are unconstitutional. It emphasized that diversity is a valid goal but must be achieved through individualized consideration rather than fixed numerical quotas. The decision balanced the interests of promoting diversity with protecting individual rights against discrimination.