By Emily Rand
Staff Writer

“Write why you are proud of your white heritage and explain what being white means to you,” reads the application for the First Annual White Scholarship Award.
“Must attach recent picture to confirm whiteness,” it adds. “Evidence of bleaching will disqualify applicants.” Though it might sound like a bad joke, the scholarship created by The Roger Williams University College Republicans actually exists. Earlier this month, the group took out a full-page ad in the school newspaper to advertise the $250 scholarship. The money was awarded Feb. 20 to Roger Williams student Adam Noska, amidst national dispute and criticism.

The controversial scholarship has been deemed “racist” and “misguided” since its inception on Feb. 2, but 20-year-old RWUCR President Jason Mattera of Brooklyn, NY maintains it’s meant to be read as a “tongue-in-cheek” statement on affirmative action.

“We created the scholarship to parody scholarships given out by the school based on race and not on merit,” Mattera said in an interview on Sunday: “Handing out scholarships based on color is absurd.”

Mattera himself, who is of Puerto Rican descent, is the recipient of a $5,000 Sallie Mae Fund scholarship for Hispanic students. He also receives an annual scholarship of $8,000 from Roger Williams. But Mattera dismisses the implicit hypocrisy of protesting race-based scholarships while he himself is a recipient.

“The money I receive through the Sallie Mae Fund is not a scholarship funded by the University,” he said. “The problem is that institutions like Roger Williams, which receive government funding, offer some scholarships based on race alone. They put Caucasian students at an unfair disadvantage because of their skin color. I’m making a statement that scholarships should be given out based on merit and need.”

Mattera created the award with the intention of sparking controversy, but says his group never expected so much attention.

“Thousands of race-based scholarships are given out every year,” he said. “I don’t see why it’s such a big deal when the race in question is Caucasian.”

Student groups at Bates have yet to challenge affirmative action in a similar manner, but the controversy surrounding the RWUCR Whites-Only scholarship arrives in the wake of several racially charged incidents at Bates and other local liberal arts colleges. In early September, a Bates student of color was verbally assaulted by a male Caucasian student while walking across the library quad. Earlier this month, speakers at an African-American Society sponsored coffeehouse held at a local pub sparked racial incidents at Bowdoin. More nationally, students at universities in Texas, California and Washington State have reportedly held, “affirmative action bake sales,” where brownies or cookies were offered at different prices to different races.

While the efforts of Mattera and the RWUCR may be misguided, as his many critics purport, the need to discuss race within the context of college campuses is now greater than ever.

As for the future of the RWCUR scholarship, Mattera said that he, “does not plan to offer a second Whites-Only scholarship, not because we are afraid of controversy but because we feel the first scholarship has already accomplished what we wanted it to: spark debate.” Although it has no plans to offer another scholarship, the RWUCR will continue protesting affirmative action.

“We plan to help other college Republican chapters throughout the country launch similar protests,” Mattera stated. “Ultimately, universities should either compile race-based scholarships for all students, or race-based scholarships should be eliminated and scholarships should be on a meritorious basis.”

Bates College Republicans Vice President Oli Wolf ’06 stated that his group probably wouldn’t consider offering a similar scholarship, but, “what Jason Mattera has been doing at Roger Williams should be applauded.” “I can’t speak for the rest of my organization, but I don’t believe his actions are racist by any means. The current Affirmative Action policy is misguided and discussion needs to be at the forefront. Ironically, affirmative action negates the liberal cause for equality. I hope Jason’s efforts will help enact nationwide change regarding this matter.”

At a meeting last week, the Roger Williams Student Senate attempted to revoke the club status of the College Republicans.

“I think they should engage the issues in a more academic manner,” said June Speakman, the group’s faculty adviser in a recent statement. “We do need a discussion on whether race-based scholarships are a good policy or a bad policy. I just don’t agree with their tactics.” Discouraged, but not beaten, Mattera said that he will continue to “fight, for the equality of his fellow students.”

“I have nothing at all to gain from this personally,” Mattera concluded. “I just hope to encourage dialogue on affirmative action.”




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