New scholarship created for whites only

[Kain99]

BRISTOL, Rhode Island (AP) -- A student group at Roger Williams University is offering a new scholarship for which only white students are eligible, a move they say is designed to protest affirmative action.

The application for the $250 award requires an essay on "why you are proud of your white heritage" and a recent picture to "confirm whiteness."

"Evidence of bleaching will disqualify applicants," says the application, issued by the university's College Republicans.

Jason Mattera, 20, who is president of the College Republicans, said the group is parodying minority scholarships.

"We think that if you want to treat someone according to character and how well they achieve academically, then skin color shouldn't really be an option," he said. "Many people think that coming from a white background you're automatically privileged, you're automatically rich and your parents pay full tuition. That's just not the case."

The stunt has angered some at the university, but the administration is staying out of the fray. The school's provost said it is a student group's initiative and is not endorsed by Roger Williams.

Mattera, who is of Puerto Rican descent, is himself a recipient of a $5,000 scholarship open only to a minority group.

"No matter what my ethnicity is, I'm making a statement that scholarships should be given out based on merit and need," Mattera told the Providence Journal.

His group took out a full-page ad in last week's issue of the university's student newspaper to tout the scholarship, which was for $50 until two donors came forward to add $100 each during the weekend, Mattera said.

It's not the first brush with controversy for the group. The school temporarily froze the Republicans' money in the fall during a fight over a series of articles published in its monthly newsletter. One article alleged that a gay-rights group indoctrinates students into homosexual sex.

[ceo_pte]

I agree with the article, but I don't think this is the answer. We just need to do away with all types of affirmative action programs. They are just wrong.

[Kain99]

I think the idea is pure genius! Love it!

[ceo_pte]

you know... I've said the same thing about the all-girls schools too. It totally pizzed me off when the womens' rights movement attacked The Citadel and VMI. I say the guys should attack the all-girls schools. I don't wanna go, but i'd help pay for the attorneys.

[mainman (Premo)]

Great idea, is this the first, named as such scholarship?

[vraiblonde]

Whenever I see these types of stories, I take a trip over to the DU to see the Liberal take. I find it amusing.

[ceo_pte]

Originally posted by vraiblonde
Whenever I see these types of stories, I take a trip over to the DU to see the Liberal take. I find it amusing.

I wish I could post on that site w/o registering... I'd #### some liberals off, for sure!

[rraley]

Originally posted by vraiblonde
Whenever I see these types of stories, I take a trip over to the DU to see the Liberal take. I find it amusing.

I check out the DU to see what some Democratic activists are thinking and let me tell you, if these guys are the future of my party, I am very afraid.

[Tonio]

Originally posted by Kain99
One article alleged that a gay-rights group indoctrinates students into homosexual sex.

[vraiblonde]

Originally posted by Tonio

Why are you laughing? Many gay rights groups DO work to indoctrinate young people into their "club". What do you think Queer Nation is all about?