AMHERST — A complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights alleges that the University of Massachusetts uses racially discriminatory criteria to admit students into one of its programs.
A Barrington, Rhode Island organization that has frequently challenged diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education is taking aim at the university’s College of Social & Behavioral Sciences’ Remedying Inequity Through Student Engagement, also known as SBS RISE.
The complaint, filed Wednesday, May 13, by the Equal Protection Project, which is part of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, accuses the program of Title VI violations because, to be eligible, students need to identify as first-generation, Black, Indigenous or other persons of color, or low-income.
“As set forth below, SBS RISE treats students differently based on race, color and national origin, with non-white students automatically eligible while white students need to show additional qualifications, such as being ‘first generation’ or ‘low-income,'” the complaint reads. “These differing standards are unlawful.”
A UMass spokesperson said the university has not been served with a complaint or notified of an investigation, and that UMass will continue to comply with all state and federal laws.
Attorneys with the Equal Protection Project, which they describe as a civil rights organization, argue that what UMass is doing is illegal because the SBS RISE program offers only certain eligible students academic, professional, financial and networking benefits.
“Our goal is not to end the program, but to end the discrimination,” William A. Jacobson, the project’s president and founder, said in a statement. “We want students to have access without playing racial or ethnic favorites. Every student should have a fair and equal opportunity without regard to race, color or national origin.”
Jacobson added that holding students to different eligibility standards based on race, color, or national origin is contrary to federal and state law and the university’s own non-discrimination policies.
Maureen Riordan, chief counsel for the Equal Protection Project, elaborates.
“The idea embodied in Title VI is straightforward: if an institution is fueled by public tax dollars, it has a legal and ethical mandate to serve the public without prejudice,” Riordan said.
“The integrity of higher education relies on merit and equal opportunity. When universities and colleges parse out programs and benefits based upon race it not only violates the law, but it casts a shadow over the genuine hard work of students from all backgrounds.”
The Equal Protection Project says it has filed legal challenges to over 275 colleges and universities covering over 750 programs and scholarships it contends are discriminatory.
