The cases of race and sex discrimination in college admissions are different. I don't think most of the American public is opposed to the existence of single-sex educational institutions (should we shut down Wellesley?), as long as there are plenty of institutions to serve both sexes. If an absolute preference for one sex is tolerated in institutions subsidized by Pell grants and guaranteed student loans, I don't see why a mild preference in favor of either sex to achieve "gender balance" should be disallowed.

What conservatives want is an end to racial preferences in college admissions at schools that get Federal money, which is about all of them. In state referenda on racial preferences (for example Michigan and California), the public has supported this position.