New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- A California father is calling a recent federal court ruling a major step forward in his legal battle alleging that highly qualified Asian-American students face discriminatory treatment in college admissions.

Nan Zhong and his son, Stanley Zhong, have filed lawsuits against several prominent universities, including the University of Washington, the University of California system, the University of Michigan and Cornell University.

The lawsuits allege the institutions engaged in "racially discriminatory admissions practices that disadvantage highly qualified Asian-American applicants."

One of the cases will move forward in part against the University of Washington after US District Judge James L. Robart partially ...