Lucy v. Adams

Background

Autherine J. Lucy and Polly Anne Myers, citizens of Alabama, sought admission to the University of Alabama beginning in September 1952. The Dean of Admissions, William F. Adams, denied their applications. A federal district judge, after hearings, found the women had been denied admission “solely on account of their race and color” and permanently enjoined the university’s admissions officials from refusing similarly situated people the right to enroll and pursue courses at the university.

Reasoning

The question before the Court was whether the suspension of that injunction should remain in place while appeals proceeded. The district judge had suspended the injunction pending appeal, and a judge of the Court of Appeals denied a motion to vacate that suspension. The Supreme Court granted the petitioners’ motion in part and reinstated the district court’s injunction insofar as it prevents the Dean and others designated from denying Lucy and Myers the right to enroll and pursue courses at the University of Alabama. The opinion cites earlier cases addressing racial exclusion in higher education as authority for reinstating relief.

Real world impact

As a practical matter, the ruling requires the university’s admissions officials not to refuse these two women enrollment because of their race while the appeals continue. The injunction restores the district court’s protection for Lucy and Myers and potentially others similarly situated. Because the decision restores an interim injunction during the appeal process, it is not necessarily a final merits determination and could change on further review.