OLYMPIA—Washington has joined 20 other states and one territory in support of the University of Michigan’s right to establish admission policies that promote student diversity on state-operated college campuses.

Washington and other states filed an amicus—or friend of the court—brief in a Michigan case before the US Supreme Court that could determine whether public universities can take race into account when making college admission decisions.

“A diverse student body enhances the state’s ability to ready its work force to compete in the global economy,” Attorney General Christine Gregoire said.

In Washington, Initiative 200 in 1998 outlawed policies that include race as a university admissions factor. The initiative banned preferential treatment in public employment, public education or public contracting on basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.

Gregoire, however, explained Washington’s amicus is not intended to change the policy set by voters under Initiative 200. It is only intended to give each state the right to choose university admission factors.

“We need to preserve the right of people in each state to decide how best to achieve ethnic diversity on their campuses,” Gregoire said.

“By arguing Michigan’s plan is constitutional doesn’t mean all states must adopt the plan. We are simply arguing it is a legal option for states to consider,” she added.

In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Michigan case now before the Supreme Court, opponents of the Michigan admissions policy sued in federal court, claiming the policy violates the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. The federal District Court and the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the policy.

Among those who support Michigan’s admissions policy is Gov. Gary Locke.

“The University of Michigan’s admissions process is fair and reasonable,” Locke said.

“It is a narrowly tailored plan that considers race as one of many factors to achieve the educational benefits of a diverse student body,” he added.

The US Supreme Court agreed to hear the Grutter case in December. It will be argued on April 1.

Office of the Attorney General release, February 24