Michigan ? A federal appeals court ruled Friday that three Michigan universities should not have been given a six-month extension to comply with parts of a new state law banning some public affirmative action programs.

The measure bans the use of race and gender preferences in university admissions and government hiring and contracting. It took effect Dec. 23, except for admissions and financial aid decisions for the incoming classes at the state’s three major universities.

The ruling by a three-judge panel of the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University will be expected to comply with the law immediately.

The universities asked for the extension because they already had begun the admissions cycles for those students before voters approved the proposal in November.