SFFA v. University of North Carolina (2014)

Students for Fair Admissions (“SFFA”) v. University of North Carolina et al (“UNC”)

In November 2014 – just a few days after filing suit against Harvard College – SFFA sued the University of North Carolina over its use of race-conscious admissions policies. The suit alleged three specific violations of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: (1) that UNC ‘s undergraduate admissions office discriminated on the basis of race; (2) that it used race as more than simply a ‘plus’ factor in admissions decisions; and (3) that UNC failed to use race-neutral alternatives that could achieve its reasonable diversity objectives. A bench trial has been completed, but no ruling has been issued.