The Associated Press

SCOTUS RULING: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

UM student Ebonie Byndon smiles outside the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Cincinnati Monday. (AP photo) | ZOOM | • Court upholds principle, strikes down quotas • Local colleges step up minority recruiting • Local college-bound teens divided on vote • Tristate: Race matters • Putting the court's ruling into context • Bush: Diversity, not quotas, won • Excerpts from the court's two cases • Editorial: For the good of diversity • Guest column: Colleges face new confusion with court's guidelines • Local voices: Affirmative action ruling Full text of opinions (links courtesy USA Today and Findlaw.com) • Law school ruling • Undergraduate case

WASHINGTON - President Bush said the Supreme Court's decisions on admissions policies that take race into account show that the nation's colleges and universities are obliged to pursue "race-neutral approaches" as they try to achieve the goal of diversity among students.

"I applaud the Supreme Court for recognizing the value of diversity on our nation's campuses," Bush said in a written statement Monday.

"Diversity is one of America's greatest strengths. Today's decisions seek a careful balance between the goal of campus diversity and the fundamental principle of equal treatment under the law.

"My administration will continue to promote policies that expand educational opportunities for Americans from all racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds," he said.

"There are innovative and proven ways for colleges and universities to reflect our diversity without using racial quotas. The court has made clear that colleges and universities must engage in a serious, good faith consideration of workable race-neutral alternatives. I agree that we must look first to these race-neutral approaches to make campuses more welcoming for all students.

"Race is a reality in American life," the president added. Yet like the court, I look forward to the day when America will truly be a colorblind society. My administration will continue to work toward this important goal."