Seattle University is facing a federal civil rights complaint that alleges several of its scholarship programs violate anti-discrimination laws by selecting students based on race and sex.
The Equal Protection Project, an anti-affirmative action group, filed the complaint with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The group cited three scholarships and programs tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, including one funded by retail giant Costco.
Among the programs cited is the Costco Scholarship Fund, which is designed to support “underrepresented students of color.” While the scholarship does not explicitly outline racial requirements, the Equal Protection Project argued that the emphasis on race could result in discriminatory practices.
“Costco has created a program for ‘underrepresented students of color’ but allows others to participate,” said William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, in a statement to The Daily Wire. “We call on Costco to make clear both in its program and in its partnerships with schools like SU that discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is prohibited.”
Costco responded by teling the outlet it considers factors in awarding scholarships, including academic performance, community service, and whether the applicant is “part of an underserved group, such as youth in foster care, historically underrepresented minority students, and students who are the first in their family to pursue a college degree.”
Seattle University offers other programs that Jacobson says raise similar concerns. The Sinegal Fellowship supports students from the Costco Scholarship who are pursuing graduate education, and specifically aims to assist “underrepresented minority Costco scholars.” Additionally, the Justice Mary I. Yu Endowed Scholarship is targeted toward “underrepresented students at Seattle University School of Law, especially women of color.”
Jacobson argued these programs violate Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act, Washington state law, and the university’s own non-discrimination policies.
“Aggressive DEI programming must never be permitted to cross the line into unlawful discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act. This line, unfortunately, appears to have been breached at SU,” Jacobson said. “It is time for higher education everywhere to focus on the inherent worth and dignity of every student rather than categorizing students based on identity groups.”
