28-01-2025
Civil rights complaint filed against Slippery Rock University over efforts to diversify STEM
An out of state group has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Slippery Rock University and three other universities in Pennsylvania.
The complaint was filed by the Equal Protection Project against the Keystone Louis Stokes Alliance. It comes amid the Trump Administration's efforts to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The group sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights in Philadelphia Tuesday.
The Keystone Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation is made up of Slippery Rock University, Stroudsburg University, Millersville University and West Chester University. The program the alliance is participating in is a national science foundation program. The Equal Protection Project says it discriminates on the basis of race, color, and/or national origin, in violation of Title VI and the 14th Amendment.
The program aims to improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates in STEM fields. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program is available to minority students and provides things like academic support and mentorship.
The Equal Protection Project is a nonprofit, anti-affirmative action group that is based in Rhode Island. The groups says it seeks 'to ensure equal protection under the law and non-discrimination by the government' and 'opposes racial discrimination in any form.'
Channel 11 reached out to Slippery Rock University, but the school is not commenting at this time.
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