October Term 2015 · Docket 14-981
Does Texas's holistic admissions plan violate the Equal Protection Clause?
Abigail Fisher challenges the University of Texas at Austin's use of race in admissions. The university defends its holistic review process.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Rein argued that the university could not estimate the exact impact of race in admissions.
Mr. Garre stated he would focus on three key issues during his argument.
Justice Sotomayor pressed the advocate to explain why the plan is worse than Bakke.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-50 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 16-38 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 16-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-46 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 28-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 28-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-40 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 40-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 44-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a public university may consider race as one factor in admissions. the side that brought the case argues this practice violates the Constitution. the opposing side argues it serves a compelling state interest.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 9, 2015.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 34-44
What each side wants
Fisher wants the Court to strike down the university's race-conscious admissions policy.
The university wants the Court to uphold its holistic review process.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
What each side says
Fisher argues that using race in admissions violates the Equal Protection Clause.
The university argues that its plan is narrowly tailored to achieve educational diversity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked what is wrong with the plan if the need for it is assumed.
Justice Sotomayor asked how the plan differs from the Bakke precedent.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-50 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 16-38 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 16-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-46 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 28-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 28-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-40 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 40-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 44-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 6-6
Why it matters
The outcome defines the limits of affirmative action in public education. It determines whether universities can consider race to build diverse student bodies. This affects access to higher education for all applicants.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-36 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-50 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 16-38 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 16-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-46 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 28-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 28-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-40 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 40-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 44-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 6-6
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 34-32 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 34-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 8-4 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 8-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 8-28
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.