HJ0102

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, In November of 2005, the U.S. Department of 
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Justice notified Southern Illinois University (SIU) that it 
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intended to file a lawsuit against the university related to 
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three of the university's fellowship programs, specifically, 
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the PROMPT, BRIDGE, and GRADUATE DEANS programs; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Justice has alleged that 
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SIU is in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act 
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in its administration of these programs; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Today, African Americans and Hispanic-Latinos are 
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underrepresented in all graduate programs; the subject matter 
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programs at issue have provided access to graduate programs for 
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approximately 85 minority students; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Justice and SIU have 
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negotiated a Consent Decree that protects the students 
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currently enrolled in these programs; in addition, the Consent 
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Decree avoids the cost of protracted litigation, with no 
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penalties or fines assessed against SIU, and amends the 
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eligibility requirements of three SIU-C paid fellowship 
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programs; the Consent Decree also allows SIU to avoid potential 
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legal exposure and financial penalty; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Both the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the 
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Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus desire to be updated, 
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annually, on SIU's progress in minority participation in its 
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fellowship programs; both Caucuses have met with the President 
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of SIU and have expressed their grave concerns related to the 
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inclusion of African American and Hispanic-Latino students in 
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the university's fellowship programs, as well as other facets 
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of the university; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the 
 


 






HJ0102
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Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus have both indicated their 
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desire to stay informed of the events surrounding the 
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investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice and 
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the progress that SIU is making in increasing the number of 
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African American and Hispanic-Latino students in both 
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fellowship and graduate assistance programs; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that Southern Illinois University 
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provide, on an annual basis, an update on minority 
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participation in all fellowship and graduate assistance 
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programs at SIU to the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and 
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the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That the President and the Board of Trustees of 
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Southern Illinois University take the necessary steps to ensure 
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that African Americans and Hispanic-Latinos are provided 
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access to and are allowed to compete in all fellowship and 
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graduate assistance programs; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That the President and the Board of Trustees of 
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Southern Illinois University take the necessary steps to ensure 
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that the university establishes and maintains an environment 
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that is conducive to the successful completion of these 
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programs as well as supports the efforts of African American 
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and Hispanic-Latino students in the same or similar manner as 
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it supports all other students; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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delivered to the President of Southern Illinois University and 
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the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University.