Marshall University: Racially Restricted Orientation Classes

When FIRE learned that Marshall University had limited enrollment in several "University Studies 101" courses to "African American Students Only," it letter to University President Stephen J. Kopp explaining that racially segregated courses are both unlawful and misguided. In Kopp's response, he claimed that the courses were open to both white and African American students. FIRE noted that the course description effectively enforced segregation, regardless of the official status of the courses. In response to FIRE's objections, Marshall has changed the course description for UNI 101, so that several sections in fall of 2007 will focused on "African American Student Issues," drawing students concerned about African American issues instead of limiting enrollment by race.