Legal Document

339 U.S. 637 70 Supreme Court Reporter 851 94 L.Ed. 1149 McLAURINv.OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION et al. Number 34. Argued April 3, 4, 1950. Decided June 5, Messrs. Amos T. Hall, Tulsa, Okl., Robert L. Carter, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Mr. Fred Hansen, Oklahoma City, appellees. Chief Justice VINSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In this case, we are faced with question whether a state may, after admitting student to graduate instruction in its university, afford him different treatment from other students solely because his race. We decide only issue; see Sweatt versus Painter, 629, 848. 2 Appellant is Negro citizen Oklahoma. Possessing Master's degree, he applied admission University order pursue studies and courses leading Doctorate Education. At that time, application was denied, The school authorities were required exclude by statutes, Okl.Stat. (1941) §§ 455, 456, 457, which made it misdemeanor maintain or operate, teach attend at both whites Negroes enrolled taught. filed complaint requesting injunctive relief, alleging action statutes upon their based unconstitutional deprived equal protection laws. Citing our decisions State Missouri ex rel. Gaines Canada, 1938, 305 337, 59 232, 83 208, Sipuel Board Regents, 1948, 332 631, 68 299, 92 247, statutory three-judge District held, 87 F.Supp. 526, had constitutional duty provide education sought as soon provided applicants any group. It further held extent denied they void. On assumption, however, would follow mandate, court refused grant injunction, retaining jurisdiction cause full power issue necessary proper orders secure McLaurin 3 Following decision, legislature amended these permit institutions higher learning attended white students, cases where such offered not available schools. amendment provided, program 'shall be given colleges segregated basis.'1 thereupon admitted Graduate School. apparent conformity amendment, subject 'such rules regulations segregation President shall consider G. W. substantially educational opportunities afforded persons seeking same College,' condition does appear have been withdrawn. Thus sit apart designated desk an anteroom adjoining classroom; on mezzanine floor library, but use desks regular reading room; table eat time cafeteria. 4 To remove conditions, appellant motion modify judgment That did violate provisions Fourteenth Amendment motion. 528. This appeal followed. 5 interval between decision below hearing Court, altered. For some section classroom sat surrounded rail there sign stating, 'Reserved Colored,' removed. He now assigned seat row specified colored students; library main floor; permitted cafeteria although here again special table. 6 said separations imposed case form merely nominal. uses classroom, races; no indication seats rooms disadvantage location. may wait line stand talk fellow while eats must remain apart. 7 These restrictions obviously comply, nearly could be, requirements But signify State, administering facilities affords professional study, sets students. result handicapped pursuit effective instruction. Such impair inhibit ability engage discussions exchange views and, general, learn profession. 8 Our society grows increasingly complex, need trained leaders increases correspondingly. Appellant's represents, perhaps, epitome need, attempting obtain advanced degree education, become, definition, leader trainer others. Those who will come under guidance influence directly affected receives. Their own development necessarily suffer training unequal classmates. Stateimposed produce inequalities cannot sustained. 9 argued better position when removed, still set think irrelevant. There vast difference—a Constitutional difference—between prohibit intellectual commingling refusal individuals commingle presents bar. Shelley Kraemer, 334 1, 13-14, 836, 842, 1161, American Law Reports, 2nd Series 441. removal abate individual group predilections, prejudices choices. very least, depriving opportunity acceptance merits. 10 conclude conditions receive deprive personal present right See hold circumstances precludes differences Appellant, having state-supported school, hands races. reversed. 11 Reversed. adds following proviso each sections relating mixed schools: 'Provided, Section apply programs particular owned operated established and/or used race, race; further, basis.' Okla.Stat.Ann. (1950) 457. Segregated basis defined 'classroom separate classrooms, times.' § 455.

Classification Label: 1