Home Benefits of Diversity

Benefits of Diversity

In an opinion by Justice Sandra O'Connor (joined by Justices Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer), the US Supreme Court explicitly adopted Justice Powell's view from Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), finding that "student body diversity is a compelling state interest that can justify the use of race in university admissions." 

The Court found that the educational benefits of diversity "are not theoretical but real," and had been substantiated by the University of Michigan and its amice in supporting briefs.  Those benefits included "cross-racial understanding" and the breaking down of racial stereotypes.  The Supreme Court cited social science research showing that "student body diversity promotes learning outcomes,..better prepares students for an increasingly diverse workforce and society, and better prepares them as professionals."  It acknowledged that "major American businesses have made clear that the skills needed in today's increasingly global marketplace can only be developed through exposure to widely diverse people, cultures, ideas, and viewpoints," and that high -ranking former military leaders have asserted that "a highly qualified, racially divers officer corps," is essential to national security.  The Court concluded that "[e] effective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the civic life of our Nation is essential if the dream of one Nation, indivisible, is to be realized."  Jonathan R. Alger, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Benefits to Students

Benefits to Society and the Economy

Diversity Return on Investment

The Case for Affirmative Action