Slippery Rock University is facing a civil complaint that alleges their participation in a nationwide program discriminated against certain students.
The Equal Protection Project is behind the complaint, alleging that Slippery Rock and three other state schools are in violation of federal law.
SRU is a part of the Keystone Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, which is a program that aims to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM programs.
The complaint says that SRU is discriminating against white and Asian students.
SRU officials say they are aware of the complaint and issued the following statement.
“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.”