William Jacobson, a Cornell Law professor and founder of the Legal Insurrection blog, recently brought attention to troubling practices at Harvard University during an appearance on Real America’s Voice. In his discussion with Amanda Head, Jacobson highlighted a scholarship program that he claims discriminates against white students, revealing a trend of bias in higher education that many might overlook.
Jacobson’s organization, the Equal Protection Project, focuses on combatting discrimination in universities. He discussed the Harvard Union Scholars Program, which offers substantial benefits, including an internship that can pay over $10,000. “They talk about historically marginalized communities,” Jacobson pointed out. “But that’s something of a defined term. We all know what that means. That means non-whites.” He underscored a critical point: the language used by institutions often hides blatant racial discrimination under the guise of inclusivity.
Perhaps most revealing was his assertion that Harvard’s website initially made the program’s criteria clear. “They said the quiet part out loud,” Jacobson remarked, indicating that their terminology explicitly favored students of color while sidelining applicants based on their racial background. After Jacobson’s organization filed a complaint with the Department of Justice, Harvard quickly altered the language on its website. However, as Jacobson argued, “changing it after the fact doesn’t really change anything.” The previous wording was documented, and that record of discrimination remains.
Jacobson suggested that this incident could lead to significant consequences for Harvard. He noted, “If they thought they were good, they wouldn’t have to change the language.” The implications are substantial, particularly if the Department of Justice takes Jacobson’s claims seriously. He expressed hope that their thorough documentation would prompt a careful examination by the DOJ. This incident may influence potential negotiations between the Trump administration and Harvard regarding federal funding, leading to a stricter approach in handling such discrimination cases.
The episode highlights a broader issue within higher education, where institutional integrity is called into question. Jacobson’s findings reveal a growing need for accountability in scholarship programs widely perceived as fair. His confidence in the documented evidence suggests this could be an inflection point for how universities implement their admission and scholarship criteria.
Jacobson’s analysis sheds light on the gap between the stated values of equity and the reality of discriminatory practices in academic scholarship programs. As legal challenges unfold, the need for transparency and fairness in how educational opportunities are allocated will only continue to grow. Such discussions remind us that vigilance is needed to ensure that the principles of equality are upheld consistently and fairly across all demographics.
"*" indicates required fields
