Stewart v. University of Texas at Austin et al.

Docket No.
1:24-cv-00800
District Court
Texas Western

Goal

  • Certify class
  • Declare efforts to promote gender and racial diversity as unlawful
  • Enjoin defendants from efforts to promote gender and racial diversity

Issues

Litigation Content

Why this Matters

The plaintiff argues that certain admissions considerations by Texas Medical Schools related to race and gender violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the health care profession has been associated with better patient care and improved health care outcomes.

Potential Impact

Further restrictions on the ability for medical schools to consider race and gender among other admissions factors holistically could substantially decrease enrollment by communities of color and women, ultimately negatively impacting patient care.