Scholarship programs slapped with lawsuits for alleged discrimination against White men
Two scholarship programs aimed at providing opportunities for underrepresented minorities are facing legal challenges for allegedly discriminating against White individuals. The nonprofit organization Do No Harm (DNH) is taking legal action against the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (SOMOS) E. Anthony Rankin Scholarship Program on behalf of a DNH member who was unable to proceed with the application process due to being a White male.
The E. Anthony Rankin Scholarship Program is designed for underrepresented medical students and pairs them with a U.S. Military host at one of two medical centers. The program offers up to $12,000 to cover travel, housing, and daily expenses during the four-week duration of the program. The complaint filed by DNH states that the member, referred to as “Member A,” felt excluded and discriminated against based on his race, which he cannot control.
DNH is suing Director of the Defense Health Agency Telita Crosland and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, along with others, for allegedly violating the Fifth Amendment by supporting a race-based program that excludes White male applicants. The organization is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the enforcement of the program’s racial requirements.
Additionally, DNH is challenging the University of Colorado’s “Underrepresented Minority Visiting Elective Scholarship” on behalf of another member who is unable to apply due to his race. The scholarship, offered through the university medical school’s Radiation Oncology Department, provides up to $2,000 reimbursement for lodging, travel, and related expenses for a four-week elective. However, the scholarship is only available to individuals who identify with historically underrepresented groups in medicine.
The complaint argues that the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, which prioritize applicants based on their background, exclude White individuals like the plaintiff who meet all other requirements. DNH is seeking a declaratory judgment that the scholarship violates the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI, as well as a permanent injunction against considering race in the selection process.
Dr. Jared Ross, a Senior Fellow with Do No Harm, emphasized the importance of merit-based selection in fields like medicine, rather than using race as a determining factor. He criticized the practice of implementing racial quotas in the name of diversity, calling for a focus on qualifications and skills instead.
The legal challenges against these scholarship programs come in the wake of a 6-3 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023, which rejected the use of race as a factor in college admissions. The court ruled on cases involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, brought by the student activist group Students for Fair Admissions, challenging the institutions’ admission practices.
Fox News Digital reached out to SOMOS, the Defense Department, and the University of Colorado for comment on the lawsuits. The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex issues surrounding diversity, discrimination, and equal opportunities in education and professional fields.
