Urbana-Champaign faces federal complaint over discriminatory scholarships

A federal complaint has been filed against the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, alleging that 42 scholarships offered by the institution are discriminatory based on race and sex, violating the Civil Rights Act. The complaint, spearheaded by Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson and the Legal Insurrection Foundation’s Equal Protection Project, highlights that terms like 'minority' are used in a way that designates applicants by race, leading to unequal opportunities. Jacobson emphasizes that the scholarships create barriers for applicants, which constitutes harm under federal law. The complaint argues that the university's practices send a discouraging message to potential applicants, particularly those who do not fit the specified categories for the scholarships. Jacobson draws a parallel to a discriminatory sign in a store, illustrating that the mere existence of such barriers is harmful, regardless of whether individuals attempt to apply. The hope is that the Department of Education will intervene to provide remedies for those affected by these discriminatory practices. Jacobson suggests that the university should increase the number of awards available for scholarships that were previously discriminatory, allowing more students the chance to apply. This would require the university to allocate additional resources but is seen as a fair solution to rectify past injustices. The expectation is that the university will recognize the severity of the issue and amend the eligibility criteria for these scholarships to ensure inclusivity. The university has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the complaint, leaving the situation unresolved. The outcome of this complaint could set a precedent for how educational institutions handle scholarship eligibility and discrimination moving forward.