Univ. of Texas admissions policy upheld

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A University of Texas policy allowing consideration of a student's race when making admissions decisions is constitutional, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks Monday dismissed a suit by two white students who claimed they were rejected because of the university's policies promoting racial diversity on campus, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Sparks noted UT's admissions policies were clearly modeled on those of the University of Michigan, which were approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003.

"UT not only considered several race-neutral alternatives, it implemented them and continues to use them to this day," Sparks wrote. "But, despite those efforts, UT still found diversity lacking in its student body and thus decided to consider race as part of its admissions process."

UT Vice Chancellor Barry Burgdorf told the newspaper the ruling was "a complete vindication" of the school's admission system.

But Project on Fair Representation, a Washington group opposing the use of race in public policy, said it would appeal on behalf of the two Texas teenagers who brought the suit.