The case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke centered on Allan Bakke, a white applicant who had been denied admission to the University of California, Davis Medical School despite having higher test scores than some minority applicants who were admitted under a special admissions program. Bakke contended that the program's quota system was discriminatory against him based on his race. He argued that such practices violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In a landmark 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court concluded that affirmative action programs aiming to increase diversity in higher education were constitutionally valid. However, the Court struck down the specific racial quota system used by UC Davis, ruling that it violated the Equal Protection Clause. The justices emphasized that while the pursuit of diversity was an important state interest, racial quotas denied individuals equal consideration in the admissions process. This nuanced ruling presented a complex view of affirmative action that permitted some forms of race-conscious admissions, provided they did not adhere to strict quotas.

The split decision did not establish a single precedent but rather led to varied interpretations across institutions. It clarified that, although race could be considered in admissions processes, it could not be the defining factor or used to fulfill numerical quotas. The ramifications of this ruling influenced both college admissions practices and discussions on affirmative action for decades to come. Schools across the nation had to reevaluate their policies, ensuring they aligned with the Court's guidance while still striving to maintain diversity within their student bodies.