Michigan Admissions Battle Not Over

RALEIGH — A landmark loss in the U.S. Supreme Court has not disheartened opponents of racial preferences in higher education. In July, Ward Connerly and other prominent advocates for eliminating preferences met at the University of Michigan. There they announced their plans to get an amendment placed on the November 2004 ballot that would rid the state of race, ethnic, and gender preferences used in public education, employment, and contracting. They have drawn heated opposition from Michigan Rep. John Dingell. He sent Connerly a blistering missive. “The people of Michigan have a simple message for you: Go home and stay there,” Dingell wrote.