Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) dealt with affirmative action in admissions. What did the Court decide?

• A. A state university could not admit less qualified individuals solely on the basis of race.
• B. A state university may admit less qualified individuals solely based on race.
• C. Race should be the sole factor in admissions.
• D. Affirmative action is prohibited in all forms.

Answer: (A)

The question tests how far affirmative action can go without violating equal protection. In Bakke, the Court held that using fixed racial quotas—admitting a certain number of minority applicants regardless of their qualifications—is unconstitutional because it makes race the sole or deciding factor. But the Court also left room for race to be considered as one factor among many in a holistic admissions review to promote diversity. So the best statement is that a state university cannot admit less qualified individuals solely on the basis of race, while still allowing race to be a consideration within a broader, holistic process. The other choices imply either race-based admissions as the sole criterion or an outright ban on affirmative action, which Bakke did not endorse.