California University System Caves After Trump’s EO, Changes Illegal Program That Excluded White Men

Cal State has amended a controversial program originally designed for only men of color, making it accessible to all students after civil rights concerns surfaced. The move comes in response to a legal complaint asserting the prior structure violated federal law.

Key Facts:

  • A complaint was filed by Cornell Professor William Jacobson and the Equal Protection Project (EPP) on November 19, 2024.
  • The complaint targeted the “Young Males of Color Consortium” across Cal State’s 23 campuses.
  • They alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
  • The federal Office for Civil Rights confirmed Cal State changed the program so it is now open to every student.

The Rest of The Story:

The “Young Males of Color Consortium” was created to improve academic and social outcomes for minority male students, including Black, Latino, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American males.

Yet, the legal complaint argued these boundaries excluded individuals on the basis of race and gender, which is not permissible under federal rules.

Professor Jacobson noted that Cal State has extensive internal systems to prevent discrimination, yet this program went forward for years without scrutiny.

Following the investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, officials concluded that exclusive admissions based on race or gender violated Title VI and Title IX, given that California State University receives federal funding.

The closing letter dated January 15, 2025, stated the system must open its consortium to all students.

Jacobson praised the change but expressed concern about the need for continual vigilance.

He worries that such initiatives may revert to discriminatory practices when they believe nobody is watching.

He urged people to report any further restrictions that limit a program’s participation because of race or gender.

Commentary:

We believe this signals that President Trump’s executive action ending certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies at federally funded colleges and universities is indeed effective.

Programs such as Cal State’s consortium had excluded White men, which, in our view, contradicted the principle of equal access.

Seeing the government move swiftly to ensure all students are welcomed is refreshing.

We fully approve of this result, as it underscores that fairness in education should apply across all demographic lines, rather than targeting or excluding anyone based on race or gender.

The Bottom Line:

Cal State’s update reflects federal law requiring equal access for all students, regardless of background.

While the situation appears resolved, observers remain watchful to ensure such restrictions do not re-emerge elsewhere within the university system.

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