At the request of the University of Michigan, UA has joined other universities in filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court that supports the University of Michigan's affirmative action admissions policies.

Everybody has the same right to be accepted as what they are, not what they represent in the nation. - Rene Martinez Civil Engineering Graduate Student

The brief that the UA signed with Wayne State University, Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh questioned whether universities that grant acceptance to graduates in the top percentage of their class assures diversity.

More than 300 organizations have submitted over 60 briefs to the Supreme Court, said Julie Peterson, spokeswoman for the University of Michigan.

"The most important thing that this represents for the court itself is that there are a number of fresh legal opinions in support of our admissions standards," Peterson said.

The ability to continue enrolling a diverse group of students is the core principle that everyone is arguing for, Peterson said.

Fifteen briefs have been filed by opponents of the university's policies.

President George W. Bush and other opponents of Michigan's admission policies have praised Texas, Florida and California, which admit the top tier of graduates, as race-neutral alternatives to affirmative action.

Applicants for Michigan's undergraduate classes are scored by points, with minorities and some poor applicants receiving a boost of 20 points on a scale of 150. At the law school, admissions officers try to ensure each class has about 10 to 12 percent minority enrollment.

Although three Arizona universities guarantee admission to the top 50 percent of graduating high-school classes, Likins has said he wants to make admissions more selective.

"Universities must give our kids equal access," said Rev. Oscar Tillman, president of the NAACP Maricopa County Phoenix branch.

The NAACP national branch has agreed to support Michigan as it faces the Supreme Court.

Tuesday is the deadline for briefs supporting Michigan. The case will be argued before the Supreme Court on April 1.

"This case is not about college admissions policies alone. Nor is it simply about important matters of constitutional law," Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said Monday in Ann Arbor, Mich. "It touches every major segment of our country."

But still, some students disagree with the NAACP and the UA's stance on the matter.

"It's sad that the color of your skin matters more than your academic achievements," said James VanderBerg, a biology junior.

"Everybody has the same right to be accepted as what they are, not what they represent in the nation," said Rene Martinez, a civil engineering graduate student.

UA President Pete Likins will propose new UA admissions standards at the Board of Regents' meeting in March.

In April, the board could decide to guarantee admission to the top 25 percent of high-school graduating classes, while allowing the universities to determine on an individual basis whether to admit students in the next 25 percent.