Barbara Grutter case

            In a case as complex as the Barbara Grutter v. Lee Bollinger, Jeffrey Lehman, Dennis Shields, and the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan one must delve deep into the intricacies of the legal system, as well as take into consideration the fact that this is not a simple case of a jilted individual, rather the outcome of this case could result in monumental changes in the ways opportunities are offered to minority groups throughout the country. Interestingly enough, the petitioner, Ms. Grutter, is not herself part of any minority group, but she feels and she was in fact affected by the way the University of Michigan conducted their admissions process, more specifically how preferences are given to applicants with minority backgrounds. By today's standards, it can be inferred that this is simply a case of affirmative action, however, the problem lies in the specific way that the University of Michigan's admissions system is set up. This case brings into question whether or not a number of laws have been violated, including the Equal Protection Clause of Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution which states that: "no State shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.""(Grutter v., 1) Ms. Grutter feels that she was denied equal opportunity for admission by the University of Michigan Law School due to the fact that she is Caucasian and statements made by the Law School which led her to believe that she would have been given preference to admission had she been part of one of the minority groups that receives special attention from this particular Law School. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, states: "No person ion the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.