The Center for Individual Rights' argument is that there should be equal opportunity, and equal treatment, specifically in this case for students who apply to the University of Michigan. By using the point system that they use at the University of Michigan, the CIR believes that it isn't "genuine diversity" because there are no extra points given if a student is an Asian or Cambodian applicant, as a minority, for example. The CIR believes that accepting students should be based upon the individual; the attributes they give the community, the way they perform in class, and most importantly the essay they write for college admission. Essentially, it is the experiences that influence people to become the way they are that should be the main point of recommendation for admissions. Despite the reasons cited above, the CIR believes that "the federal government works best when it works within the limits prescribed for it by the Constitution. Constraining the federal government to its enumerated powers protects the liberties of individuals. It leaves room for state and local institutions to formulate and implement policies tailored to regional circumstances rather than the abstract political agendas of national advocacy groups." (www.cir-usa.org/limited_govt.html)
In defense, the purpose of using this system, according to the University of Michigan is to enroll a diverse group of sophisticated students. The priority for the University is to create an environment where education can be enhanced, and one of the ways to enhance education is by having a very diverse student body. By bringing together people of different racial backgrounds, students will not only grow up being able to acknowledge and accept their differences, but will also be able to compatibly function with each other in the everyday world. "We are as interested in creating good citizens as we are in educating our students," offered Liz Barry, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel and primary internal lawyer from the University of Michigan. "Race matters in America." "The University's position is that the Constitution and Civil Rights Statutes interpreted by the Supreme Court in the 1978 Bakke Decision, permitted to take race and ethnicity into account in its admissions program in order to achieve the educational benefits of a diverse student." (www.umich.edu/~ure /admissions/saqs/satcs.html). According to Ms. Barry, students at the university level have, very often, never been previously exposed to integrated living and educational environments. By accepting a racially diverse group of students, the University believes that enhanced understanding will result and students will learn to comfortably coexist with one another.
As a prestigious school, the University of Michigan relies heavily on accepting a "stellar group of students." This stellar group of students will soon enrich the world with their ability to cooperatively work with others who may be unlike them in any shape or form, but whom they will nonetheless respect. This is the main goal of the University of Michigan, and the main defense that is pulling them through the appeal with The Center for Individual Rights.
Clearly the two sides are very different and both uphold legitimate ideas. Race does matter in American life, very much so, but there are questions we should ask ourselves... and there are many standpoints that are easy to agree with in this controversy. TeenSpeak does not defend or support either side.
