Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College et al | Advancing DEI Initiative

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GLOSSARY

The definitions in our glossary are primarily sourced from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary and Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. We have made slight modifications where needed for brevity and to better tailor the definitions to the specific needs of users of this website. For more detailed explanations of the terms, users are encouraged to review the definitions on these websites or conduct their own independent research.

A written request made after a trial court’s final ruling, asking another court to review the trial court's decisions. Appellate courts typically decide whether a legal mistake was made and whether the mistake changed the outcome of the case.

An out-of-court procedure for resolving disputes in which one or more people, “arbitrator(s),” hear evidence and make a decision. It's like a trial in some ways, but typically proceeds more quickly and with less formality.

A lawsuit in which a large number of people with similar legal claims join together (the class) to sue. In this context, it likely refers to cases in which a group of people claim they have suffered discrimination at the hands of an organization.

A document filed in court that starts a lawsuit. In some states and in some types of legal actions, the complaint is called a petition.

The person or entity against whom a civil case is filed.

A court order requiring a person to do or stop doing a specific action.

Harm done to a person or organization by the acts or omissions of another. Injury may be physical or may involve damage to reputation, loss of a legal right, or breach of a contract.

An appeal that occurs before the trial court's final ruling on an entire case.

Any party to a lawsuit. This might include a plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, cross-complainant, or cross-defendant, but not a witness or attorney.

The process of bringing and pursuing (litigating) a lawsuit.

A formal request, either written or oral, that a judge enter a particular order or ruling in a lawsuit.

A motion asking the judge to throw out one or more claims or an entire lawsuit.

These phrases refer to a case whose decision rests upon the law as it applied to the particular evidence and facts presented. This is in opposition to cases whose decisions rest upon procedural grounds (e.g. not filing a timely complaint).

The person, corporation, or other legal entity that initiates a lawsuit seeking damages, enforcement of a contract, or a court determination of rights. In certain states and for some types of lawsuits, the term petitioner is used instead.

Any legal document filed in a lawsuit, including the complaint, answer, and motion(s). The pleading stage gives notice to both parties of the intention of the opposing party regarding the lawsuit.

An opinion of a federal or state court of appeals establishing a legal principle or rule that must be followed by lower courts when faced with similar legal issues.

A court order early in a lawsuit that prohibits the parties from taking a disputed action until the court can decide the merits of the case.

A document that public companies must provide their shareholders prior to a shareholder meeting. The document summarizes proposals submitted to shareholders for a vote.

Punishment of an employee by an employer for engaging in legally protected activity like making a complaint of harassment or participating in workplace investigations. It can include any negative job action, such as demotion, discipline, or firing.

A person's right to sue and have a court rule on their claims. To invoke a federal court's jurisdiction and have the court exercise its remedial powers on their behalf, a person must have standing.

A final decision by a judge, upon a party's motion, that resolves a lawsuit before there is a trial.

CASE NAME

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College et al

Overview

After the district court ruled that Harvard's use of race in its undergraduate admissions process was permissible, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) appealed to the court of appeals, seeking to reverse the district court's decision.

Details

SFFA argued that race played a significant role in Harvard's undergraduate admissions process and that there was no defined end point for its use, which past court precedents required. They also contended that, contrary to the lower court's findings, there was substantial evidence suggesting that Asian Americans were unfairly penalized in the admissions process.

Harvard countered by arguing that SFFA did not have standing to sue and that their use of race in admissions complied with Supreme Court decisions. They also stated that they used race-neutral methods to increase diversity but that the additional methods proposed by SFFA were neither workable nor as effective as their "whole-person, race-conscious admissions program." Additionally, Harvard pointed out that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) had already investigated and determined that Asian Americans were not discriminated against in the admissions process, a conclusion also reached by the district court.

The court of appeals affirmed the district court's decision, concluding that while SFFA did have standing to sue, Harvard's race-conscious admissions process did not penalize Asian Americans and did not violate Title VI.

Court

First Circuit Court of Appeals

Status

Filed October 11, 2019 | Appealed

SFFA appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Relevant Law

Topic

School and university admissions

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University Of North Carolina, et al (U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina)

Litigation History

U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

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U.S. Supreme Court

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