DETROIT (AP) - A federal appeals court has struck down Michigan's ban on the consideration of race and gender when enrolling students at public colleges and universities.
In a 2-1 decision Friday, the court said Michigan's Proposal 2 is unconstitutional because it burdens minorities. It was approved by voters in 2006.
The University of Michigan and other public schools have been forced to change admissions policies offering preferential treatment based on race and gender.
The ban was placed in the Michigan Constitution after getting 58 percent of the vote nearly five years ago. It affected government hiring as well as college admissions.
In 2008, a federal judge in Detroit upheld the law, saying it was race-neutral because no single race can benefit.
