SIU, U.S. to Discuss Minority Fellowships

The AP reports:

The Justice Department's demand that the university end the fellowships or be sued is drawing mixed reaction on campus.

A letter sent by the department last week demanded that SIU halt three small graduate fellowship programs by Friday or be sued. The government alleges that the fellowships violate the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and result in ``intentional discrimination against whites, non-preferred minorities and males.''

SIU officials will discuss the matter with Justice Department officials Monday, school spokeswoman Sue Davis said. The university has denied the fellowships are discriminatory and asked for another month to review their application history.