<p>ramaswami:
I see what you are saying but I know that Justice Powell specifically mentions seeking geographic diversity as a legitimate goal. Your counter example, which is pretty good, has more to do with logistics than seeking diversity though.</p>
<p>Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
[quote]
In practice, this new definition of diversity has meant that race has been a factor in some admission decisions. When the Committee on Admissions reviews the large middle group of applicants who are “admissible” and deemed capable of doing good work in their courses, the race of an applicant may tip the balance in his favor just as geographic origin or a life spent on a farm may tip the balance in other candidates’ cases. A farm boy from Idaho can bring something to Harvard College that a Bostonian cannot offer. Similarly, a black student can usually bring something that a white person cannot offer. The quality of the educational experience of all the students in Harvard College depends in part on these differences in the background and outlook that students bring with them.<a href=“%5Burl=REGENTS OF the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Petitioner, v. Allan BAKKE. | Supreme Court | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute”>/quote</a></p>