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California Department of Education News Release
Release: #03-34
June 23, 2003
Contact: Deb Kennedy
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

Statement by Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell
on the U.S. Supreme Court Decision* to
Uphold Use of Race in College Admissions

SACRAMENTO — "The U.S. Supreme Court made the right decision today when ruling that minority applicants may be given preference when applying for admission to universities and colleges. While the court did not go as far in certain places as I would have preferred, today's decision acknowledges the important fact that a diverse student body benefits all students and that the government has a compelling interest in promoting racial diversity on campus.

"In California, this is especially good news where it is critically important that our college admissions reflect our diverse population. And as a University of California Regent and ex officio member of the California State University Board of Trustees, I highly recommend that we take a serious look at today's decision in order to identify any new opportunity to further diversify our higher education system."

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*Grutter v. Bollinger, et al. Decision [http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/02-241.ZO.html] (Outside Source)

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Jack O'Connell — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

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