EXCLUSIVE — Indiana University is the subject of a civil rights complaint filed with the Department of Education ‘s Office for Civil Rights over the creation of scholarships that exclude white students .
Defending Education filed the complaint on Wednesday, accusing Indiana University of engaging in “discrimination on the basis of race in programs or activities” in violation of both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
“Eliminating race discrimination means eliminating all of it, but Indiana University seems to have forgotten this missive from the Supreme Court and is instead playing fast and loose with constitutional and civil rights protections designed to render government programs entirely color blind,” Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president and legal fellow of Defending Education told the Washington Examiner. “We look forward to the Office for Civil Rights’ investigation into IU for its offering of race-exclusive scholarships.”
Non-white students given ‘preference’ and ‘special consideration’
IU Indianapolis’s School of Education offers the “Patricia Payne Scholarship for Teacher Candidates” through its Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. It offers “special consideration” to culturally “diverse” students as well as “preference” to African American students…