This review comments on the recent class action suits in Michigan related to affirmative action and college admission. It reviews related cases and the legal basis for the Supreme Court decisions that are expected to have widespread effects. Affirmative action plans exist at all levels of government and business, and a broad ruling invalidating affirmative action could affect federal contracting, financial aid, minority business programs, housing loan programs, and other systems. Even a ruling upholding affirmative action will have wide reaching effects. If, for example, the Court were to uphold affirmative action in general, but find Michigan's plan to be insufficiently narrowly tailored, the practical effect would be to invalidate admissions systems at many institutions. Legal practices, however, are still likely to vary by state even after the Supreme Court rules. Potential effects are discussed for percentage plans and race based scholarships and programs. (Contains 12 references.) (SLD)