White only scholarship rattles some cages.

White-only scholarship given in Rhode Island

By Sarah Goldfarb email
Collegian Staff Writer

Today, one lucky student at Rhode Island's Roger Williams University will win a scholarship. The requirements do not include a 4.0 grade point average or a long list of accomplishments, but applicants do have to be white.

The scholarship was created earlier this month by the school's College Republicans to show members' opposition to affirmative action.

It has sparked debate across Roger Williams University and the nation. Roger Williams College Republicans President Jason Mattera is of Puerto Rican descent and a recipient of a $5,000 scholarship open only to a minority group. "It doesn't matter what my ethnicity is; the point is scholarships should be given out not based on race but on need and ability," he said.
Application
Requirements for the white student only scholarship:
Essay: "In 100 words or less, write why you are proud of your white heritage and explain what being white means to you."
Picture: "Must attach a picture to confirm whiteness. Evidence of bleaching will disqualify applicants."


Scholarship applicants were required to write a short essay about why they are proud of their white heritage and what it means to them to be white. They were also required to attach a picture to "prove their whiteness," according to the application.

Penn State College Republicans President Richard Pastena said he likes the idea of a scholarship for which only white students are eligible.

"I think they have a really good and creative idea to show the discriminatory nature of affirmative action and race-based scholarships," Pastena said. "It's great to see Republicans across the country using creativity to show how ridiculous it is to give advantages to people based solely on their race."

Another report:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2674267&page=1