2008 Woodie Awards
Illini Media
WPGU
buzz
Illio
TechnographSIU's admissions under review
Programs scrutinized for 'reverse racism' against non-minorities,men
By Christine Won
Posted: 4/3/06 Section: News
Universities are making graduate fellowships, assistantships and other scholarship programs intended for minorities available to non-minority students because of heightened pressure from Washington to give equal consideration to all students.
The Center for Equal Opportunity filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for programs allegedly discriminating against men and non-minorities.
The three programs in question were the Graduate Dean's Fellowship, Prompt Fellowship and Bridge to the Doctorate, a federally funded program granting $30,000 to minority graduates studying science and math.
David Gross, governmental relations assistant to the president of Southern Illinois University, said the difference between this case and Supreme Court's decision in 2003 allowing the use of racial preferences in the admission process at the University of Michigan was that it was a case of employment rather than admission.
The center filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, religion, gender, sex or natural origin.
The University of Illinois is also looking into its graduate fellowships and scholarships to determine if adjustments need to be made.
"It makes good sense that academic institutions are looking carefully at their programs not only from a legal standpoint but from a question of fairness to determine changes," said Larry Mann, executive assistant vice president for academic affairs at the University.
He said President B. Joseph White asked chancellors on each campus - Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign -to designate a study group to determine what, if any, modifications should be made. The issue was raised about nine months ago and a review is underway, but it will be months before conclusions are reached.
"Fellowships at Southern Illinois were not just preferential, they were racially exclusive," said Roger Clegg, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity. "Students were not even considered unless they belonged to the correct racial and ethnic groups. Students should be treated as individuals, not as members of racial groups."
The Center for Equal Opportunity filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for programs allegedly discriminating against men and non-minorities.
The three programs in question were the Graduate Dean's Fellowship, Prompt Fellowship and Bridge to the Doctorate, a federally funded program granting $30,000 to minority graduates studying science and math.
David Gross, governmental relations assistant to the president of Southern Illinois University, said the difference between this case and Supreme Court's decision in 2003 allowing the use of racial preferences in the admission process at the University of Michigan was that it was a case of employment rather than admission.
The center filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, religion, gender, sex or natural origin.
The University of Illinois is also looking into its graduate fellowships and scholarships to determine if adjustments need to be made.
"It makes good sense that academic institutions are looking carefully at their programs not only from a legal standpoint but from a question of fairness to determine changes," said Larry Mann, executive assistant vice president for academic affairs at the University.
He said President B. Joseph White asked chancellors on each campus - Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign -to designate a study group to determine what, if any, modifications should be made. The issue was raised about nine months ago and a review is underway, but it will be months before conclusions are reached.
"Fellowships at Southern Illinois were not just preferential, they were racially exclusive," said Roger Clegg, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity. "Students were not even considered unless they belonged to the correct racial and ethnic groups. Students should be treated as individuals, not as members of racial groups."
The Daily Illini encourages on-topic discussion through article commenting on its articles and blogs. It is our policy not to delete any comments based upon political or ideological point of view. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are abusive, off-topic or use excessive foul language.
The posting of copyrighted material, including any and all content for which you are not the author, is illegal under Federal intellectual property laws. Such activity will not be tolerated. Comments containing copyrighted material will be removed, and continued violation of copyright law is grounds for being banned completely from commenting on DailyIllini.com.
If you feel any post meets these conditions or merits review, please e-mail our editors at meonline@dailyillini.com.