Justice Department Threatens Suit over Southern Illinois University's Minority Fellowships

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CARBONDALE, ILL.

Federal prosecutors are threatening to sue Southern Illinois University over three graduate school scholarship programs aimed at women and minorities, saying they are discriminatory.

SIU "has engaged in a pattern or practice of intentional discrimination against Whites, non-preferred minorities and males," the Justice Department said in a letter. A copy of the letter was obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

The graduate scholarships, or fellowships, violate Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the department contends. The letter demands SIU discontinue the fellowship programs or face a lawsuit from the Justice Department's civil …