Key Takeaways
- UC San Diego’s Black Alumni Scholarship Fund has been rebranded as the Goins Alumni Scholarship Fund and is now open to all students, regardless of race.
- The change followed a lawsuit claiming the scholarship violated federal and state laws, including the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.
- The scholarship aims to reward community service and resilience, rather than racial identity.
- Legal experts argue the change reflects broader scrutiny of race-based programs in California following the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling.
- Universities are navigating informal negotiations to adjust diversity-related programs without formal settlements.
UC San Diego Rebrands Scholarship Following Legal Challenge
A scholarship originally reserved for Black students at the University of California, San Diego has been restructured to welcome applicants of all racial backgrounds after a lawsuit challenged its legality. The program, formerly the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund, is now called the Goins Alumni Scholarship Fund, named after its founder, Lennon Goins.
The legal challenge was filed in July by students and the Californians for Equal Rights Foundation, a right-leaning nonprofit, alleging that the scholarship violated federal and state laws, including the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.
One plaintiff, student Kai Peters, said he was denied the scholarship because he is not Black, describing his experience as an example of “institutionalized racism.” Joshua Thompson, attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation representing the plaintiffs, stated, “The idea is that we don’t want government actors out forcing their discrimination.”
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Shift Toward Race-Neutral Criteria
The scholarship, which provides $2,500 awards, has previously focused exclusively on African American students demonstrating academic excellence and community involvement. Since its founding in 1983, nearly 275 scholarships have been awarded, but the original goal of increasing Black graduation rates from 2% to 5% remains unmet.
Following the lawsuit, the program now prioritizes applicants who demonstrate civic engagement and the ability to overcome significant challenges, without reference to race.
UC San Diego previously transferred the fund to the private San Diego Foundation in 1998 to comply with Proposition 209, which prohibits affirmative action at public institutions.
Broader Context in California
The rebranding reflects heightened legal scrutiny on race-based programs in California, especially after the Supreme Court overturned affirmative action precedents. UC campuses have also modified hiring and program practices, including making diversity statements voluntary.
Thompson indicated that similar negotiations are ongoing at other universities, including UC San Francisco, regarding minority-focused programs.
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