The constitutionality of affirmative action examined admissions practices

The first Supreme Court case addressing the constitutionality of affirmative action examined admissions practices at the University of California at Davis. In Regents of the University of California v Bakke (1978), the court ruled that the use of race as the sole determinant of admission to medical school was unconstitutional. The intent of the program was to provide access to this graduate program for minority students and to provide for diversity in the program. Were these goals laudable? Why or why not? Are there other ways to achieve these goals?