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McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents

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Supreme Court of the United States
McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents
Reference: 339 U.S. 637
Term: 1950
Important Dates
Argued: April 3-4, 1950
Decided: June 5, 1950
Outcome
United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma reversed
Majority
Frederick Vinson • Hugo Black • Stanley Reed • Felix Frankfurter • William Douglas • Robert H. Jackson • Harold Burton • Tom Clark • Sherman Minton

McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents is a case that was decided on June 5, 1950, by the United States Supreme Court holding that a state cannot treat a student differently on the basis of race. The case concerned a Black student who was treated differently than white students after being admitted to the graduate school at the University of Oklahoma. The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.[1][2]

HIGHLIGHTS
  • The case: A Black student was admitted to the graduate school at the University of Oklahoma, but was assigned specified seating for Black students in the classroom, library, and cafeteria. The student filed a complaint, arguing that his right to equal protection had been violated by the school.
  • The issue: Is it unconstitutional for a state to treat a student differently on the basis of race?
  • The outcome: The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and held that the state cannot treat students differently on the basis of race.


    • Why it matters: The Supreme Court's decision in this case established that the Equal Protection Clause prohibited states from treating students differently on the basis of race. To read more about the impact of McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents click here.

    Background

    A Black individual was admitted to the graduate school at the University of Oklahoma to pursue a doctorate in education. The student was assigned to seating in the classroom, library, and cafeteria that was specified for Black students. The individual filed a complaint on the grounds that his right to equal protection had been violated by the school's actions.[2]

    Oral argument

    Oral argument was held between April 3, 1950, and April 4, 1950. The case was decided on June 5, 1950.[1]

    Decision

    The Supreme Court decided unanimously to reverse the decision of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Chief Justice Frederick Vinson delivered the opinion of the court.[1]

    Opinions

    Opinion of the court

    Chief Justice Frederick Vinson, writing for the court, argued that the actions of the University of Oklahoma violated the student's constitutional right to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. Vinson contended that separating McLaurin from other students would hinder his ability to succeed in achieving higher education.[1]

    “ These restrictions were obviously imposed in order to comply, as nearly as could be, with the statutory requirements of Oklahoma. But they signify that the State, in administering the facilities it affords for professional and graduate study, sets McLaurin apart from the other students. The result is that appellant is handicapped in his pursuit of effective graduate instruction. Such restrictions impair and inhibit his ability to study, to engage in discussions and exchange views with other students, and, in general, to learn his profession.


    Our society grows increasingly complex, and our need for trained leaders increases correspondingly. Appellant's case represents perhaps the epitome of that need, for he is attempting to obtain an advanced degree in education, to become, by definition, a leader and trainer of others. Those who will come under his guidance and influence must be directly affected by the education he receives. Their own education and development will necessarily suffer to the extent that his training is unequal to that of his classmates. State-imposed restrictions which produce such inequalities cannot be sustained.[3]

    		”
    —Frederick Vinson, majority opinion in McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents[1]

    Impact

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    See also: Equal Protection Clause

    McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents established that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibited states from treating students differently on the basis of race. The decision in this case was made in conjunction with Sweatt v. Painter and later influenced the decision in Brown v. Board of Education.[1]

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Justia, "McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents, 339 U.S. 637 (1950)," accessed September 15, 2022
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 LexisNexis, "McLaurin v. Okla. State Regents for Higher Educ. - 339 U.S. 637, 70 S. Ct. 851 (1950)," accessed September 15, 2022
    3. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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