SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — 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.”
Slippery Rock University issued a statement about the lawsuit, saying:
Slippery Rock University applied for a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant and was awarded funding for Fall 2023. The grant funded “The Keystone Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation” (LSAMP) program. The LSAMP allowed several PASSHE universities to provide STEM learning opportunities in accordance with the grant and federal guidelines.
Slippery Rock is a first-choice regional public university, and remains committed to access, opportunities, and excellence in STEM coursework. It is a cornerstone of our mission “to educate learners and foster an environment of belonging while ensuring the economic mobility for our students and our region’s workforce.”
The University remains committed to the potential for innovation that emerges when people come together to collaborate, share ideas, and drive progress so our workforce can develop groundbreaking solutions and advancements for our region and beyond.
Slippery Rock University is aware of the Equal Protection Project’s (EPP) letter to the Department of Education. Slippery Rock University will wait to hear from the Department of Education, and will not comment further on the EPP’s letter.
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