Duke University in Durham, N.C. will discontinue full-ride scholarships for its top Black students.
As a result of the recent United States Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, Duke University has discontinued full-ride scholarships for Black students.
The discontinued scholarship, known as the Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program, offered a free ride scholarship to top students of African descent.
Duke junior Mya Harris told the Duke Chronicle, “It is very much disheartening to hear that this program that opened the door for me to come to Duke is now being closed essentially, even though it will take on a new form.”
Kyra Alessandrini of Blavity reported, “The program was established in 1979 in honor of Reginaldo ‘Reggie’ Howard, Duke’s first Black student government president. Applicants were required to show financial need, and selected undergraduate students were offered full tuition, room and board. The scholarship chose 15 to 20 Black students, who were also provided funding for independent research opportunities and domestic international learning experiences.”
The scholarship has since been renamed the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program and will go to students regardless of race.
In an email to alumni and Reggie Scholars, Candis Watts Smith, vice provost for undergraduate education, wrote, “The Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program will honor Reggie’s legacy by supporting Black academic excellence, intellectual community and leadership on campus through an internationally designed series of engagement opportunities.”
In a follow-up statement, it was said the changes to the scholarships were made “in light of changes to the legal landscape related to race-based considerations in higher education.”
Additionally, Duke University announced that winners of merit-based scholarships would be notified of their award after enrolling at the school in Durham, N.C., not before.
Current Reggie Scholars will continue to receive funding.
However, no financial assistance will be given to the Class of 2028 and beyond.
Duke senior Dre Greene said, “I think the Reggie is a program that has given me a lot over the years. It’s given me not only community, but a group of friends, a group of academic peers that I enjoy spending time with…It has been a fantastic experience, so of course in that regard, I am gutted.”
Hannah Gedion, a sophomore at Duke University, said, “We just want to make sure that Reginaldo Howard stays in the conversation in any way, shape or form that we can because he was a prominent figure in Duke’s history, period—not Black Duke’s history, not Latino Duke’s history, just Duke history.”
Melissa Sanchez of The Source reported, “Proponents of affirmative action and diversity initiatives express deep concern over Duke’s decision, highlighting the importance of targeted support for underrepresented minority students in higher education. They argue that eliminating full-ride scholarships for Black students undermines efforts to address historical disparities and perpetuates inequality in access to educational opportunities.
“Moreover, critics contend Duke’s decision sends a troubling message about the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. By discontinuing scholarships to Black students, Duke risks eroding trust and credibility within the Black community and alienating prospective students who value representation and support from their educational institution.”
Since the decision to end the scholarship for top Black students, advocates have mobilized to express their disdain with Duke’s decision, demanding accountability from the school’s administration.
The advocates have called for transparency, dialogue and specific actions to address racial disparities in higher education.
Sanchez wrote, “Moving forward, Duke University faces mounting pressure to reconsider its stance on full-ride scholarships for Black students and reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The decision has sparked meaningful conversations about the role of affirmative action, the legacy of systemic racism, and the responsibility of educational institutions to foster a more equitable and inclusive society.”
To comply with new laws regarding race, universities across the country have closed their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs.
Although some state politicians, like those in Texas, promised that employees affected by the closure of DEI offices would have employment in other offices, many like some from University of Texas were fired once those offices shut down.
The Associated Press reported that over 100 jobs were cut at Texas colleges and universities.
More than 60 of those terminated employees were from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.
A total of 36 positions got eliminated across several state universities.
Those institutions include Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, University of Houston, Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.
However, officials at those schools say that no employee got fired.
Instead, those employees got reassigned or resigned.
Additionally, vacant positions got closed.
University of Texas at Dallas also eliminated 20 associate jobs to comply with the state’s anti-diversity law.
On the social media platform X, Texas’ Republican state Rep. Dade Phelan wrote, “It’s a victory for common sense and proof that the Legislature’s actions are working.”
Five states, including Texas, passed anti-DEI laws recently, with 20 more considering similar legislation.
The A.P. reported, “Republican legislators who oppose DEI programs say they are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. Some are counting on the issue to resonate with voters during this election year. Democratic DEI supporters say the programs are necessary to ensure that institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations. Lawmakers from the party have filed about two dozen bills in 11 states that would require or promote DEI initiatives.”
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