Civil Rights Complaint Filed Against University of Alabama

News Summary

The Equal Protection Project has filed a civil rights complaint against the University of Alabama, claiming that its Norton-Textra Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by being exclusive to African-American students. The complaint highlights concerns over race-based scholarships following a recent Supreme Court ruling. Amid scrutiny, the university altered eligibility criteria on its website, stirring further debate on affirmative action and discrimination policies in higher education.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama – A civil rights complaint has been filed against the University of Alabama (UA) by the national organization, the Equal Protection Project. The complaint, lodged with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on April 25, 2025, focuses on the Norton-Textra Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students in English, which is exclusively awarded to full-time African-American students pursuing degrees in English within the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Equal Protection Project asserts that this scholarship is discriminatory and violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits any form of discrimination that is based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. The organization contends that the scholarship’s race-specific eligibility criteria effectively exclude non-African American students, which constitutes a clear violation of this federal law.

In an interesting development, while scholarship applications listed race as a criterion on April 22, 2025, the University of Alabama’s official website indicated on April 26, 2025, that the only requirements involved enrollment and GPA metrics, suggesting a potential alteration in eligibility criteria amidst increased scrutiny.

This complaint is situated against the backdrop of a significant Supreme Court decision in 2023 that ruled against the consideration of race in college admissions practices. This ruling has raised questions about existing race-based programs, including scholarships like the Norton-Textra. Further scrutiny on diversity practices at Alabama colleges has emerged following the Trump administration’s directives aimed at eliminating race-based affirmative action in both admissions and funding decisions.

The Equal Protection Project’s request for investigation highlights concerns over the University of Alabama’s adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this complaint, depending on its findings, could set a precedent affecting race-based scholarship programs nationwide. The ramifications of this case may have far-reaching impacts on how such programs are administered and their legal standing under existing laws.

Adding to the controversy, President Donald Trump is set to deliver a commencement address at the University of Alabama on May 1, 2025, which is drawing significant public attention and igniting debate about the university’s policies surrounding race and scholarships.

Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights had previously misidentified the University of Alabama at Birmingham as the institution under investigation before correcting the mislabeling to focus on UA. This miscommunication underscores the complexities and heightened attention surrounding race and discrimination issues in higher education.

The debate surrounding the Norton-Textra scholarship and similar programs inevitably raises broader questions about the legitimacy and future of affirmative action in higher education. As universities across the country reassess their policies in light of changing federal guidelines and legal interpretations, the outcomes of the complaint against UA may prompt other educational institutions to reconsider their own diversity initiatives.

In conclusion, the filing of this civil rights complaint represents a pivotal moment for race-based scholarship practices both in Alabama and across the nation. As investigations proceed, the legal framework underpinning such programs, combined with evolving societal attitudes toward race and equity in education, will likely shape the landscape of higher education funding moving forward.