SIU Race based fellowships may be changed

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Facing pressure from the U.S. Justice Department, Southern Illinois University officials are considering changes to three minority and female fellowships that the government has charged discriminate against white and male graduate students.

University administrators discussed the possible changes, proposed by the government last week, with student and faculty leaders at closed-door meetings Wednesday.

Though negotiations are continuing, a university Web site already says that the fellowships have been "extensively revised" and are open to a broader group of students. University officials said the Web site changes weren't authorized.

The board of trustees will likely decide whether to accept the government's proposals within the next few weeks, a move that would delay a threatened lawsuit.

It's amazing that a public institution in today's age could get away handing out favors based on skin color.