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KINGSTON, R.I. — A conservative non-profit advocacy group based in Bristol is asking the federal government to investigate the University of Rhode Island’s approach to awarding certain kinds of scholarships whose eligibility might violate U.S. civil rights laws.
The Equal Protection Project has asserted similar claims against several other universities in the country. The complaint was filed last week with the U.S. Department of Education.
URI officials, as of this week, had not yet reviewed the substance of the allegations, said spokeswoman Dawn Bergantino.
“The University works diligently to comply with the regulatory landscape, and we remain committed to our foundational values, including fostering an inclusive community and respect for the rights and dignity of all,” she said.
William Jacobson, a Cornell University clinical law professor who leads the nonprofit, confirmed that his organization has yet to look at other universities in Rhode Island.
He said his organization targeted URI on the basis that it “received a tip that there were problems at URI, we investigated, and found that there was sufficient basis to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.”
The complaint is in a similar fashion to more than 25 other complaints filed with federal education officials.
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Education did not return a request for comment about the URI issue or others that have been filed by this organization.
The Rhode Island nonprofit, encouraged by last year’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision prohibiting the use of race in college admissions, has found this a useful decision in which to base the URI and other university allegations.
It is also alleging that restricting eligibility to students based on race, gender, color, and national origin is a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
* For the full story, pick up a copy of this week’s Independent on newsstands now or purchase a subscription to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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