A federal judge upheld the University of Michigan's affirmative action program on Wednesday, ruling that public universities can use race as a factor in college admissions and setting the stage for a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal Judge Patrick J. Duggan said that the University of Michigan's current admissions system--which gives a 20-point advantage to black and Hispanic applicants on a 150-point scale--is constitutional.

But Druggan said that Michigan's old policy--in place until 1998--violated the U.S. Constitution since the university set entirely separate criteria for white and minority applicants.

"A racially and ethnically diverse student body produces significant education benefits such that diversity, in the context of higher education, constitutes a compelling governmental interest," Druggan wrote in his decision.

Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine said he was pleased with the ruling. He said that affirmative action policies which call for diversity do not compromise the quality of the accepted pool of students.

"I don't think there are any contradictions between achieving excellence and diversity," Rudenstine said. "I specifically think that one must give consideration to race and gender....Students can learn a lot from those around them--and that's not just 'intellectual book learning.'"

University spokesperson Joe Wrinn echoed Rudenstine's praise of Duggan's decision.

"We're obviously very happy that the court ruled in favor of diversity," Wrinn said. "We believe you learn as much from the people around you as from texts."