Civil Rights Group Accuses Calvin University of Extensive Scholarship Discrimination
A prominent civil rights organization has filed a formal complaint against Calvin University, a Christian liberal arts institution located in Michigan, alleging widespread discrimination based on both sex and race in its scholarship programs. The complaint, brought forth by the Equal Protection Project, highlights an unusually large number of scholarships – totaling 65 – with criteria that the organization argues violate federal civil rights laws.
William Jacobson, a Cornell professor and founder of the Equal Protection Project, expressed his dismay at the extent of the alleged discrimination in a statement to Fox News Digital. "At EqualProtect.org, we have challenged discriminatory programs and scholarships at over 60 colleges and universities, but never have we seen such a large number at any single institution," Jacobson stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation at Calvin University.
The scholarships specifically cited in the complaint as examples of discriminatory practices include the Endurance Scholarship, which stipulates that applicants must self-identify as African American and be a U.S. citizen. Another scholarship under scrutiny is the Trans-Racial Adoptee Scholarship, which is exclusively available to students who have been trans-racially adopted. Additionally, the Carol L. Faber Math Scholarship is being challenged due to its explicit preference for female students. The respective scholarship amounts are $3,000, $3,500, and $3,100.
The Equal Protection Project asserts that these scholarship programs run afoul of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which explicitly prohibits educational institutions receiving federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Furthermore, the organization contends that the scholarships also violate Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Notably, Calvin University has indeed received substantial federal funding. In 2020, the university was awarded a $935,000 grant from the Department of Education, allocated at $187,000 per year for a period of five years. This grant was specifically designated to support students who have disabilities, come from low-income backgrounds, or are the first in their families to attend college. The university’s website also lists various federal grants available to students, including a $7,395 Pell Grant, a supplemental educational opportunity grant of up to $2,000, and a TEACH grant of up to $4,000.
Jacobson expressed hope that the Department of Education, under the leadership of Secretary Linda McMahon, would prioritize the restoration of civil rights enforcement. “While the Department of Education is undergoing a restructuring, enforcement of the civil rights laws to eliminate DEI discrimination remains a stated priority of the new administration,” Jacobson said. “We hope that Secretary McMahon will maintain this focus on civil rights enforcement in order to advance the administration’s overall civil rights agenda. To scale back enforcement would be self-defeating and would undermine efforts to eliminate discrimination done in the name of DEI in higher education.” His statement came amidst reports that nearly half of the Department of Education’s staff would be eliminated.
In its complaint, the Equal Protection Project invoked the words of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, quoting his concurring opinion in Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co., where he unequivocally stated that "discrimination on the basis of race is illegal, immoral, unconstitutional, inherently wrong and destructive of a democratic society."
The complaint further urges the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to "prioritize and expedite" the investigation, given the sheer number of allegedly discriminatory scholarships at Calvin University. The organization requests that the Office promptly open a formal investigation, impose appropriate remedial relief for those illegally excluded from the scholarships based on discriminatory criteria, and ensure that all ongoing and future scholarships and programming at Calvin University comply with federal civil rights laws.
“Accordingly, we respectfully ask that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights prioritize and expedite this complaint given the sheer number of discriminatory scholarships at Calvin reflecting a systematic disregard for Titles VI and IX, promptly open a formal investigation, impose such remedial relief as the law permits for the benefit of those who have been illegally excluded from Calvin’s various scholarships based on discriminatory criteria, and ensure that all ongoing and future scholarships and programming at Calvin comports with the federal civil rights laws,” the complaint reads.
As of the time of reporting, Fox News Digital had reached out to Calvin University for comment but had not yet received a response. The allegations against Calvin University raise significant questions about the balance between promoting diversity and adhering to federal civil rights laws, and the outcome of the Department of Education’s investigation will likely have far-reaching implications for other educational institutions across the country. This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding affirmative action policies and the use of race and sex as factors in awarding scholarships and other forms of financial aid. The legal and ethical considerations involved are complex, and the potential impact on students and institutions alike is substantial.
