During the panel discussion, Jonathan Alger, assistant general counsel for University of Michigan, said affirmative action is not just the responsibility of those in higher education. Different segments of society, from elementary schools to corporations, need to work together to ensure diversity, he said.
"We all have a role to play. It's not somebody else's problem, it's our problem," Alger said.
The litmus test for the affirmative action movement will come when classes resume this fall.
"The tough calls are not the ones the justices made. It's the ones (that) will be made in the board room throughout the nation on campuses this fall," Howard University law professor Frank Wu said.
While race should be a component of a school's admission process, Wu said many colleges will be tempted to back away from affirmative action to avoid lawsuits.
"The court said you can do this. The court didn't say you must do this. And many, many colleges are already saying we don't want to be sued, we don't want to spend $10 million," Wu said.
— Associated Press
