News Summary
The Equal Protection Project has filed a civil rights complaint against the University of Alabama, targeting its Norton-Textra Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students in English, claiming it violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This complaint arises amidst a backdrop of shifting legal standards regarding race-based affirmative action and scrutiny of the university’s diversity initiatives. The outcome of this complaint may reshape how universities address scholarship offerings related to race and equality.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama—The Equal Protection Project (EPP), a national organization focused on challenging race-based affirmative action policies, has filed a civil rights complaint against the University of Alabama (UA) on April 25. The complaint specifically targets the Norton-Textra Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students in English, which requires applicants to be full-time African-American students pursuing degrees in English in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The EPP contends that the scholarship program violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs that receive federal financial assistance. According to the EPP, applications for the scholarship with race as a criterion were accessible as of April 22. However, as of April 26, the University of Alabama’s website listed only enrollment and GPA requirements, raising questions about the transparency and compliance of the scholarship program.
This complaint comes on the heels of a significant Supreme Court decision in 2023, which declared that race should not be considered in college admissions decisions. In response, many educational institutions have started to move away from race-conscious scholarships and programming to comply with the evolving legal landscape.
In a related development, a letter dated February 14, 2024, from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon reiterated that educational institutions should avoid separating students based on race or distributing benefits and burdens in a racially discriminatory manner. The EPP has requested that the Office for Civil Rights conduct a thorough investigation into UA’s scholarship practices, including whether the university engages in other forms of discrimination beyond the Norton-Textra scholarship.
The University of Alabama has not issued an immediate comment on the recent complaint, although the school is already under scrutiny concerning its diversity initiatives. Institutions such as UA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have received criticism for race-based scholarships and diversity-focused funding, particularly after a state law was enacted banning public funds for initiatives deemed to promote “divisive concepts.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has categorized UA as one of seven schools facing investigation for offering what it terms “impermissible race-based scholarships” and allegations of “race-based segregation.” While specific allegations related to these inquiries remain unspecified, there are broader claims concerning race-related practices in graduate programs within the university system.
Moreover, under the Trump administration, universities were directed to refrain from using race as a criterion in admissions and related decisions. This directive has influenced many colleges across the nation, leading them to reassess their approaches to diversity and scholarship programs amidst changing federal policies.
The complaint filed by the EPP highlights the ongoing national debate surrounding race-based affirmative action in higher education. Advocates for affirmative action argue that such measures are necessary to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for historically marginalized populations. Conversely, opponents contend that race-conscious programs perpetuate division and violate civil rights principles by giving preference based on race.
The situation at the University of Alabama serves as a significant example of this broader discourse. As investigations regarding race-based practices unfold and policies continue to adapt to new legal interpretations, the university will likely face increasing pressure to clarify its position and practices on diversity and inclusion scholarships.
As the EPP advances its complaint and calls for investigations, this development will be closely monitored by educational institutions, civil rights organizations, and policymakers throughout the country. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how universities across America structure their scholarship offerings and address issues of race and equality.
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Additional Resources
- WDHN News
- Alabama Reflector
- WAFF
- Google Search: University of Alabama scholarship lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Affirmative action
