What was affirmed by the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke case?

The Regents of the University of California v. Bakke case was a pivotal Supreme Court decision that addressed the complex issues surrounding affirmative action in university admissions. The ruling established that while affirmative action programs are permissible to promote diversity and rectify past discrimination, the use of strict racial quotas is not allowed.

This decision affirmed that universities could consider race as one of multiple factors in the admissions process to foster a diverse educational environment, thus upholding the principle of affirmative action without imposing rigid quotas that could unjustly disadvantage applicants based solely on their racial background. This nuance allows institutions to strive for inclusive representation while ensuring that individual circumstances and qualifications are also taken into account, leading to a more holistic evaluation of each candidate.

The other options suggest complete bans or quotas, which do not reflect the foundation of the court's ruling, as the decision sought to balance the goals of diversity with the principle of equal treatment and individual merit.