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DOES UT DISCRIMINATE?
Thursday, August 9, 2012    
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Supreme Court Will Hear White Student's Suit

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case filed by a woman who says UT-Austin denied her admission -- because she's white.

The school filed a Supreme Court brief supporting the admissions policy this week.

"This policy allows us to gain the benefits of a diverse student body to benefit our students and the state of Texas."

UT President Bill Powers says he's confident the high court will uphold the admissions policy.

Shirley Wilcher is executive director of the American Association for Affirmative Action.

"There were whites who had lower scores than she had that were accepted and whites with higher scores that were denied admission. She did not make the cut."

Wilcher says affirmative action admissions policies are needed to make up for Texas' racist past.

The case could determine the fate of affirmative action policies across the country.