California State University (CSU) has made significant changes to a controversial program after a complaint accused the university of violating federal civil rights laws. The university has now opened its “Young Males of Color Consortium” to all students, ending a policy that excluded White men and possibly other groups. The decision follows a complaint filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP), which claimed the program’s structure violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions.
The original program and its goals
The Young Males of Color Consortium was initially created with the aim of improving educational outcomes for male students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Native American males. The program was instituted to address disparities in higher education, offering resources and support specifically designed for these communities. However, the exclusion of other groups, particularly White men, raised legal concerns about the program’s adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws.
Legal challenge and the Title IX violation
In November 2024, Professor William Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. According to Jacobson, the program’s exclusionary policy violated both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments, which together prohibit discrimination based on race, national origin, and sex. As reported by Fox News, Jacobson emphasized that the exclusion of White men and other groups lacked any compelling governmental justification and was, therefore, presumptively illegal.
University’s response and changes
Following the complaint and subsequent investigation, CSU revised the program to ensure it no longer discriminated based on sex or race. On January 15, 2025, the Office for Civil Rights issued a closing letter confirming that CSU could no longer lawfully restrict participation in the consortium based on race or sex. As quoted by Fox News, Jacobson stated that the university should have self-policed the issue, rather than waiting for an outside group to bring the matter to light.
Ongoing concerns about discrimination in higher education
Despite the changes, Jacobson expressed concerns that similar programs at other universities might still engage in discriminatory practices, and that public vigilance was necessary to prevent further violations. He also noted that while the university revised the program, ongoing monitoring and accountability were crucial to ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
