Remember affirmative action?
We don't hear a lot about it these days. But the use of race to promote diversity is back in the news.
For years, Harvard University, like a lot of colleges, has considered race as one of several factors in deciding who will be admitted. And that has pitted one minority group against others.
A group called Students for Fair Admissions sued the school because they say even a limited consideration of race allows less academically qualified Black and Hispanic students to be admitted while discriminating against Asian Americans.
The Trump administration joined the case, siding with the Students for Fair Admissions.
Last year, a federal district court sided with Harvard. And on Thursday, so did the Boston-based 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
That sets up a battle in the nation's highest court.
The appeals panel said Harvard's use of race meets with U.S. Supreme Court precedent. And it's true the court has looked favorably on limited use of race for college admissions in the past. But we have a new court, with a more conservative makeup. There is no guarantee precedent will stand.
That's why the case is being closely watched. It could well determine whether limited consideration of race can continue in college admissions or is cast aside entirely.
Stay tuned.