SC leans against race-conscious admissions in US univs

Washington: Conservative US Supreme Court justices signalled skepticism on Monday toward the legality of race-conscious admissions policies in cases involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina that could imperil affirmative action programs often used to boost enrolment of black and Hispanic students.

The court was hearing appeals by a group founded by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum of lower court rulings upholding programmes used at the two prestigious schools to foster student diversity, dealing with the UNC case first. The court is confronting this divisive issue four months after its major rulings curtailing abortion rights and widening gun rights. The court’s 6-3 conservative majority is expected to be sympathetic in the eventual ruling, due by the end of June, toward the challenges to Harvard and UNC.