Syracuse University plans to scale back its involvement in a scholarship program for public high school students, a decision that prompted scores of its Syracuse students to protest on Friday.
The cutback represents a move by Chancellor Kent Syverud, who started in January, to dismantle at least part of the previous chancellor's ambitious and controversial effort to increase the economic and racial diversity of students at Syracuse
Former Chancellor Nancy Cantor famously ignored and repeatedly criticized college rankings and made attention-grabbing efforts to throw open the doors of Syracuse, a private university, to more low-income, minority students. While diversity supporters applauded her, others on the campus feared Syracuse's rankings were falling as a result of her commitments. Supporters of her vision feared that Syverud -- who, even before he took office, said he cared about college rankings -- would reduce the number of low-income and minority students at Syracuse.
Now, some are beginning to think that fear is justified as the new administration plans to scale back Syracuse’s partnership with the Posse Foundation, which helps colleges find urban public school students worthy of scholarships. The program isn't restricted to low-income or minority students, but Posse typically helps bring those students to the attention of colleges.
Read more at Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/09/23/syracuse-u-curbs-work-program-help-urban-youth-attend-college