Chancellor's statement on Supreme Court's affirmative action decisions

23 June 2003

BERKELEY – The following is a statement from Robert M. Berdahl, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, about the Supreme Court's decisions today (Monday, June 23) in two affirmative action cases involving the University of Michigan:

"I applaud the decision to reaffirm Bakke. The court recognizes that a university has a compelling interest in diversity and that, to achieve it, it is permissible to consider race as a factor in admissions. Students educated in an entirely homogeneous environment derive less from their education than do those who learn in a diverse, heterogeneous environment.

"The decision does not alter the circumstances in California, but it does underscore the importance of a diverse population of students and faculty in the education process. The achievement of diversity, without the specific consideration of race, remains an objective of our admissions process at the University of California, Berkeley."

Also:

• UC President Atkinson's statement on Supreme Court decisions