Friend of the Court (150):
Abigal Fisher was a white high school student applying to the University of Texas her senior year of high school, and her application was rejected. Due to the fact of the Statewide Admissions Program, the top 10 percent of students in high school are automatically admitted into state universities. The lower percentages of the students also get to apply but it goes under admissions councilors to consider factors, as such in this case the factor is considering race. In the case Grutter v. Bollinger, that permitted universities to take into account an applicants racial background. When it went through to the U.S. District court for the western district of texas, Judge Sam Sparks upheld the universities admissions program. Fisher then appealed the judgement. The appeal was heard by the fifth circuit court of appeals. The fifth circuit court of appeals agreed with the lower court. The court held that the texas program, although it applied with the applicants race, it did not violate the Equal Protection clause because it was narrowly tailored to meet the schools compelling interest, that is to promote diversity on campus.  Abigal Fisher appealed this case to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday 21, 2012, court decided to hear the case and to grant it certiorari. Oral arguments are scheduled for October 10, 2012.