REDLANDS – (INT) – It’s the first Monday in October and the US Supreme court is opening a new session.

University of Redlands Professor of Government Renee Van Vechten is studying the court docket.

“Probably the most-watched case has to do with affirmative action. It involves race-conscious admission policies and whether they should be allowed.”

And of interest to many Californians. “The justices may look at gay marriage and they probably will. One case has to do with the Defense of Marriage Act and possibly Proposition 8 which is California’s own law outlawing gay marriage," Professor Van Vechten said.

Overall, Professor Van Vechten does not expect the new session of the Supreme Court to be as “headline grabbing” as in more recent sessions.

Story Date: October 5, 2012