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NORMAN, Okla. — Three White students filed a class action federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging University of Oklahoma (OU) admissions office discriminated against them, losing financial aid opportunities.
Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Racial Discrimination in University of Oklahoma’s Financial Aid Practices
In this class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, plaintiffs Brayden Johnson, Logan Rhines, and Kayla Savage are suing the University of Oklahoma and its officials. The plaintiffs claim that the university’s practice of awarding financial aid based on race violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
They allege that these race-based financial aid decisions have unfairly reduced the amount of aid they and other non-Black students receive, constituting unlawful racial discrimination. And that they would have received scholarships if the university “did not engage in racial discrimination when awarding financial aid,” the lawsuit states. The plaintiffs seek declaratory relief and damages for themselves and a class of similarly affected students.
Represented by conservative think tank Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and the Washington, D.C. law firm of Cooper & Kirk.
Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action Sparks Legal Action Against University of Oklahoma
The complaint stems from a critical decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, which banned affirmative action admission policies at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina, concluding they violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Since the SCOTUS ruling, conservative politicians and groups have strived to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. They have targeted these policies in public schools and higher education institutions.
“The United States Supreme Court has been clear that racial discrimination has no place in our nation’s universities. The ban on racial discrimination extends to financial aid decisions. And we intend to hold the University of Oklahoma to account for its illegal conduct.”
David Thompson, a representing attorney from Cooper & Kirk told News9.
The university hosts multiple race-conscious programs for Black students. Some include a pre-semester leadership conference, orientations and a Black Excellence Ceremony before graduation.
As a result, the lawsuit states OU places a high value on racial diversity and “one of the University’s express goals is to increase the number of Black students on campus.”
The defendants in the lawsuit are University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Vice President for the Divison of Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer Jeff Blahnik, Executive Director of Financial Aid Services Courtney Henderson, and Director of Connection and Student Engagement Dorion Billups.
The university has yet to release a statement regarding the lawsuit.
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Anti-DEI makes waves in Oklahoma
Some anti-DEI initiatives have reached signatures in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order in December 2023 requiring state agencies and higher education institutions to review “the necessity and efficiency of DEI positions and departments, activities, procedures and programs.”
Since then, OU has attempted to comply, changing the name of its DEI office to “Diversity of Access and Opportunity.” All universities, colleges and state agencies are required to complete reviews by May 31.
Oklahoma State University changed the name of its Office of Institutional Diversity to the Division of Access and Community Impact. However, OSU officials noted the change was not due to the executive order. Instead, it was an expansion of vision and services for broadening the group of students, faculty, and staff.