APLU Statement on Federal Appeals Court’s Decision to Uphold University of Texas at Austin’s Admissions Policy

July 16, 2014–Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today released the following statement regarding the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to uphold the University of Texas at Austin’s admissions policy:

“We are pleased with the appeals court’s decision to uphold the University of Texas at Austin’s admissions policy that helps ensure a diverse student body. The court’s ruling makes clear that universities may judiciously consider race as one factor in their admissions processes for the sake of diversity.

“At their core, public universities are committed to serving students with a wide array of backgrounds and experiences that are reflective of their state’s overall population. Such diversity enriches the learning process for all students in and out of the classroom. The experiences students gain on campus also prepare them for a life after college in which they will have to interact in an increasingly diverse country and world.

“The University of Texas at Austin is a world class institution and we are grateful for the leadership the institution has shown on an issue so critical to the mission of all public universities.”