Bakke decision

Cultural  

1. An important ruling on affirmative action given by the Supreme Court in 1978. Allan Bakke, a white man, was denied admission to a medical school that had admitted black candidates with weaker academic credentials. Bakke contended that he was a victim of racial discrimination. The Court ruled that Bakke had been illegally denied admission to the medical school, but also that medical schools were entitled to consider race as a factor in admissions. The Court thus upheld the general principle of affirmative action.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Bakke decision

In 1978’s Bakke decision, a majority found that universities could consider race to build a diverse student body, identifying educational benefits that flow from diversity.

From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2022

Bollinger in 2003, O’Connor took note of the quarter-century that had passed since the Bakke decision.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 13, 2021

In 1978, the Bakke decision introduced the notion of “diversity” as a competing rationale for affirmative action to “equity.”

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2016

Larry McDonald then stepped up and brought affirmative action, which had been upheld in the Supreme Court’s 1978 Bakke decision, into the discussion.

From Salon ● Jan. 19, 2014

Powell's position as the point man in what lawyers already are calling the "4-1-4" Bakke decision illustrates his propensity toward thoughtful moderation.

From Time Magazine Archive