Legal advocacy groups have accused Rutgers University, New Jersey’s primary public university, of discriminating against white students by excluding them from a scholarship program aimed at attracting African-American, Native American, and Hispanic students.
The Equality Protection Project has filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, asserting that the scholarship initiative contravenes federal anti-discrimination laws and may be unconstitutional.
One representative from the group questioned, “What does Rutgers not understand about non-discrimination? Discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is unlawful under federal and state law, as well as Rutgers’ own policies. We urge Rutgers to adhere to its own standards.”
Concerns were also raised regarding lapses in management and staff responsibilities that are meant to prevent discrimination, particularly regarding equal access to education.
The complaint, lodged on August 1, criticizes four specific programs at Rutgers that, according to the group, unlawfully exclude white students. This action allegedly violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
One program in question, the Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship, targets minority students in their final year of the Graduate School of Healthcare Management. Another, the GEM Fellowship program, provides financial aid and internships for underrepresented students in engineering or science.
Additionally, the National Council for Action for Engineering Scholarship Minorities is aimed at students identified as “African American, American Indian, Latino, or first-generation.” General Motors also contributes scholarships for children of GM workers, their spouses, and “underrepresented minority” students at Rutgers.
The complaint specifies that Rutgers interprets “minority” to include individuals who identify as black, non-Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Hispanic.
Since receiving federal funding, educational institutions are required to follow anti-discrimination laws, with the U.S. Department of Education monitoring compliance and investigating complaints.
On a recent Sunday, Rutgers indicated it would review the complaints, although it suggested that two of the criticized programs had already been discontinued.
The university affirmed its dedication to equal protection and stated, “While we will carefully evaluate the complaints, the evidence suggests that two scholarships are not run by us, and the other two will cease to be awarded.”
The Equality Protection Project has previously challenged over 100 universities relating to 500 allegations concerning discriminatory scholarships and programs.
The group has called for the Department of Education to initiate a formal investigation, emphasizing the need for remedies to ensure compliance with federal civil rights for all scholarships and programming.
In prior cases, the Department of Education has taken action against institutions like Columbia University and the City University of New York for not adequately protecting Jewish students from discrimination.
Similarly, legal advocacy groups have filed complaints against various educational bodies, including the State University of New York campuses, Fordham University, and Alfred University.
One representative noted, “Sadly, many campuses seem to allow a culture that tolerates racism against white students. Discrimination in education is wrong and illegal, regardless of who it favors or harms.”
The U.S. Education Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
