The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) was hit with a civil rights lawsuit Monday over a fellowship program that allegedly discriminates on the basis of race.
Applicants to the university’s Creando Comunidad: Community Engaged Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Fellows program must be “members of historically underrepresented racial, ethnic groups, or communities.” there is. according to Go to the university website. The complaint filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP) alleges that the program violates the Fourteenth Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
William A. Jacobson, a professor at Cornell University School of Law and founder of EPP, said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation, “The University of Wisconsin-Madison BIPOC Fellows Program is based on race and ethnicity. It's discriminatory.” “Such overt discrimination has always been illegal, but the Supreme Court recently put to rest any doubts in its affirmative action decision. The goal of 'diversity' can no longer be used as an excuse for racism. you can't.” (Related: Lawyer sues Wisconsin attorney over clerkship system that allegedly selects students based on race)
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 12: Exterior view of Bascom Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus on October 12, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
According to its website, the program exists to “center and empower the strengths of BIPOC undergraduate students who participate in important service activities.”Each participant receive There is a $500 stipend and you must attend seven 90-minute meetings.
Participants will also have “opportunities for community building, collaboration, support, and personal/professional development,” according to the website.
“[Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] This issue at the University of Wisconsin has recently received attention and controversy. “The discriminatory BIPOC fellows program reflects how DEI has undermined the core of the university and its constitutional principles of equality,” Jacobson said. “It is time for UW-Madison to right this wrong and repurpose and rename the BIPOC Fellows Program to ensure it is open and welcoming to all students, regardless of race or ethnicity. ”
EPP previously filed similar complaints alleging discriminatory programs at schools including the University of North Dakota, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Western Kentucky University.
Attorney Daniel Sarr, backed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Freedom, sued the state's attorney in December over a diversity clerkship program that was allegedly limited to students who identify as LGBT or minorities.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison did not respond to a request for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
