McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents (1948)

Following Fisher’s successful challenge to Oklahoma’s segregation of higher education, McLaurin was admitted to the University of Oklahoma to pursue a Doctorate in Education.

As it did for Fisher, the University imposed segregationist restrictions on McLaurin. The University isolated McLaurin by requiring him to sit in a separate but connected room while in class; to sit only at a designated table in the library; and to not only sit at a designated table in the cafeteria, but also to eat at an entirely different time than white students. McLaurin challenged these restrictions, arguing that these restrictions denied him equal opportunity to pursue his education.

The Supreme Court agreed. In the lead up to the decision, the university relaxed some of the restrictions placed on McLaurin. Even so, the Supreme Court noted that the imposition of restrictions, however lax, still “sign[fied] that the State . . . sought to set McLaurin apart from the other students.” The restrictions based on race were found to inhibit McLaurin’s access to education and were struck down.

Information from, and additional reading at,

McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 339 U.S. 637 (1950).