Other universities face similar controversies, and experts in the field say many use one similar to the one at the U of O.
An American Association of University Professors survey found the only related court decision, at the University of Vermont, ruled the practice legal if the availability of the money was not used in hiring decisions.
Grier said that doesn’t happen at the U of O.
The funds come into play after a selection committee has chosen a candidate and made an initial job offer. The funds then can be used to negotiate a final contract, she said.
The money goes to the professor’s department, not to the professor, she said.
“Dollars aren’t allocated based on race,” she said. “Departments get reimbursed for costs.”
Some opponents of affirmative action aren’t impressed.
Linda Chavez, chairwoman of the nonprofit Center for Equal Opportunity, said the fact that the program allocates money based solely on race makes it illegal.
“If that pool of money is available ... only to individuals who happen to fit a certain demographic profile, it’s not legal,” she said.
Chavez said the center has been able to shut down some similar programs.
She acknowledged that by not giving money directly to the faculty member, the program could survive the Civil Rights Act or Equal Pay Act but said she still believes it to be illegal.
--Associated Press
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