Case Briefs of McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Educ 339 U.S. 637 (1950)





FACTS:

·         George W. McLaurin, a Black resident of Oklahoma with a master’s degree, was accepted into the University of Oklahoma’s Graduate School.

·         He was allowed to eat in the cafeteria at the very same time as other students, he was allocated to a specific table there.

·         He was given a seat in the row reserved for Black students in the classroom.

·         In his complaint, he demanded injunctive relief.

 

ISSUE(S):

Can state discrimination against a student only be based on race?

 

LEGAL DECISION:

The United States Supreme Court reversed, holding that a state could not treat a student differently from other students based on race because the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits such differences in treatment and because such restrictions hindered his ability to study, participate in discussions, exchange ideas with other students, and, in general, learn his profession. The court found that the appellant’s personal and current rights to equal protection of the laws were violated by the requirements under which he was compelled to receive his education.

 

LEGAL RATIONABLE:

The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discrimination by the state based on race when circumstances exist where a student of color is obliged to get his education in a way that denies him his real and present right to equal protection of the laws. When a Black student is admitted to a graduate program that is funded by the state, he is entitled to the same treatment from the government as other students.