Boston University group offers white scholarship

[Sonny]

And let the discussion begin...

Award meant to protest race-based scholarships
Clarissa Bottesini
Issue date: 11/21/06

Looking to draw attention to what they call the "worst form of bigotry confronting America today," Boston University's College Republicans are circulating an application for a "Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship" that requires applicants be at least 25 percent Caucasian.

"Did we do this to give a scholarship to white kids? Of course not," the scholarship reads. "Did we do it to trigger a discussion on what we believe to be the morally wrong practice of basing decisions in our schools and our jobs on racial preferences rather than merit? Absolutely."

The scholarship, which is privately funded by the BUCR without the support of the university, is meant to raise awareness, group members say. BUCR member argue that racial preferences are a form of "bigotry." The group has a similar view on affirmative action.

The application for the $250 scholarship, due Nov. 30, requires applicants be full-time BU undergraduate students and one-fourth Caucasian and maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Applicants must submit two essays, one describing the applicant's ancestry and one describing "what it means to you to be a Caucasian-American today."

[Beta]

Glorious.

[Brent Burns]

Perhaps Gregg Pathakis or others from Massachusetts may chime in, I know that John Silber who was a former President of Boston University, so I am wondering if he would have any say about this group. Isn't he now the Chancellor of Boston University or is he just teaching philosophy right now?

John ran against former Governor William Weld in 1990s for the governorship of Massachusetts and lost the election.

[Jester]

I would be absolutely fascinated to read some of those essays. I wonder what angles applicants would try to play to stand out in a positive way. Would they tackle the uncertainty of the situation, or would everyone who could bring themselves to apply be the sort that are free from doubt and introspection in the first place.

I'm not totally certain what discussion they are hoping to spark, since no one can argue the validity of a scholarship to Caucasians. They are paying for it, they can set whatever conditions they want. It may make them look like they have somewhat shorter memories, or read from different history books, but what's to argue there?

[laxfan25]

I heard that Michael Richards was going to apply....

[Sonny]

I heard that Michael Richards was going to apply....

Is he a full-time BU undergraduate student with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA?

[yourmom]

Call me what you want, but I like this idea. It almost seems like the tide has gone the complete opposite side instead of balancing out. Now when I go to a n interview im already starting below because the place of employment will recieve no "points" for me since i am a white male.

I just don't see why this all has to continue. If they have "black" scholarships, then why should it be a big deal to have "white" ones. Not that i agree with either.

[Jolly Roger]

Careful here Chris. I was vilified for pointing this out from the perspective of an interviewer - that I had to rationalize the hiring of someone who didn't fall into a protected class if another applicant from protected class met the minimum qualifications. I was not allowed to freely hire the most qualified candidate.

[Sonny]

Careful here Chris. I was vilified for pointing this out from the perspective of an interviewer - that I had to rationalize the hiring of someone who didn't fall into a protected class if another applicant from protected class met the minimum qualifications. I was not allowed to freely hire the most qualified candidate.

Welcome to corporate America. At my employer, you have to document every single hire/promotion if the person in question isn't in a protected "class."

[Campbell]

My company is a minority owned business and HUB and fills that quota for a lot of the people that contract us. The funny thing is we also have to meet that quota with a subcontractor for some of our contracts.

[Tim Gray]

I would be absolutely fascinated to read some of those essays. I wonder what angles applicants would try to play to stand out in a positive way. Would they tackle the uncertainty of the situation, or would everyone who could bring themselves to apply be the sort that are free from doubt and introspection in the first place.

As of the 10 o'clock news last night, there were no applications yet.

[Beta]

As of the 10 o'clock news last night, there were no applications yet.

That's odd, esp considering it's obviously a well-advertised scholarship...even if it is only for $250.

[yourmom]

Careful here Chris. I was vilified for pointing this out from the perspective of an interviewer - that I had to rationalize the hiring of someone who didn't fall into a protected class if another applicant from protected class met the minimum qualifications. I was not allowed to freely hire the most qualified candidate.

Welcome to corporate America. At my employer, you have to document every single hire/promotion if the person in question isn't in a protected "class."

So let me get this straight. Because I am not in a protected class, i am going to be discriminated against? And put under a microscope? I HATE THIS! And before someone lights me up for being against affirmative action or grouping me with Kramer, let me assure you I have no problems with any other races.

I was brought up by my parents to treat everyone as equals, and thats what I do. So it really busts my chops when this kind of stuff happens on either side of the fence.

[laxfan25]

OK guys, the next company you go to, ask to see the annual report and look at the roster of chief executives and the board of directors, and tell me that we should still be shedding tears for the poor unprotected class of white males. You still have ALL the advantages, and if you think not, would you want to do a racial exchange for the rest of your life? You are still the ruling class. Stop feeling so put upon.

[beckner11]

while I agree that the top still has yet to change, the bottom....where we all have to start out at, has shown a trend of looking for more of the "protected class" so there can be an argument made that the white males are still the dominant force but at the same time you can make the argument that it has become much more difficult for a white male to even get his foot in the door now.