McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

McLaurin filed a motion with the district court to compel the university to allow him a more normal campus life. This motion was denied on the grounds that his treatment did not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, since it did not affect his ability to receive the same education as his classmates. The university did take voluntary action, however, removing a railing surrounding McLaurin's designated eating place and also taking down a sign over his table that read: "Reserved for Colored Only." McLaurin was also allowed to sit in the same classroom as the other students, although made to occupy a specified section, and to eat at the same time as his classmates. He still found his situation unsatisfactory, however, and his case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments on 3 and 4 April 1950.