The three controversial fellowships — PROMPT, Bridge to the Doctorate and the Graduate Dean’s Fellowship — produced less than 2 percent of the university’s graduate student fellowships in the 2005-2006 academic year. The three fellowships accounted for only 28 of the approximately 1,700 awarded. According to Poshard, the fact that 40 percent of the overall fellowship recipients were non-White illustrates SIU’s commitment to diversity.
“The critical issue is how the university can continue its traditions of inclusiveness, of seeking a diverse and varied student body, faculty and staff within the law,” he says.
Tequia Hicks, the elected student trustee from SIU’s Carbondale campus, says the settlement keeps the programs open and allows the 28 students they serve to remain at the university.
“The [settlement] protects all students currently enrolled in the questioned programs. These students met high academic standards to get into these programs and are valuable assets to the university. The settlement secures their future with the university,” she says.
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