The University of Michigan has gathered an increasingly diverse coalition of support in its effort to maintain race as an admissions factor -- a policy that soon will be challenged before the Supreme Court.
In addition to universities including Harvard, Michigan's supporters now come from beyond the ranks of higher education and include large corporations such as Texaco and General Motors, labor unions and former military officers. Each say they have a stated interest in preserving a diverse pool of college graduates.
Jonathan Alger, assistant general counsel for the University of Michigan, said he felt the "breadth and depth of our support shows that these are issues of concern not just for higher education but for every segment of society."
But Curt Levey, director of legal and public affairs for the Center for Individual Rights, a conservative think tank, said support for race based admissions policies at higher institutions of learning is not as broad among ordinary Americans.
"Recent polls show very large margins against the use of race for admissions," he said.
University Director of Admissions John A. Blackburn said the University considers race and ethnicity as "one factor among many," with the "goal of ... trying to have a diverse student body."
Blackburn said the University was concerned about the possible effect of a ruling against Michigan on its own admissions policies.
"We feel that our system works very well and we hope that we can continue," he said.
Despite Blackburn's concern, the University has not released an official statement in favor of Michigan.
Law Prof. Robert O'Neal said institutions such as the University may consider briefs filed by the American Council of Education and other higher educational institutions as representative of their implicit support and may not feel the need to file their own briefs.
"There is no question that the University is clearly on record as supporting the concept" of considering race as an admissions criterion, O'Neal said.
O'Neal wrote amicus briefs in favor of the University of California at Davis Medical School for the American Bar Association in the Bakke case, which has stood as the standard for race-based admissions policies for 25 years. He said the involvement of business interests in the current case represents a major change.
"What's new in this round and suprising and heartening is the participation of these corporate briefs," he said.
AFL-CIO Spokesperson Mary-Louise Wendham said her organization will submit an amicus brief on Friday.
"It is more helpful to have as diverse an environment as possible at universities to make sure that people educated there can go into the work force with a broad view," Wendham said.
A diverse pool of educated men and women also serve the military, according to Retired General Daniel W. Christman. The armed forces are aided by a diverse population of college graduates who fill the officer corps, he said.
"We learned, sadly, through years of segregation that an officer class whose officers are all white has a hard time relating to those they lead," he said.
Additionally, Christman said diversity in leadership increases the armed forces effectiveness overseas.
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