On July 16th, CFER and individual co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the University of California Board of Regents, University of California San Diego and Black Alumni Scholarship Fund with the United States District Court Southern District of California. Represented by our partner and legal counsel Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), we are challenging a race-based scholarship named “Black Academic Excellence Initiative (BAEI),” at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).

BAEI is a partnership between UCSD’s Black Alumni Council and the San Diego Foundation that gives qualified UCSD students both financial aid and mentorship opportunities. It is only available for “admitted Black undergraduates.” Although UCSD denies any official involvement in the selection of the scholarship recipients and in its administration, our lawsuit provides overwhelming evidence that the school, a public university funded by California taxpayers, is intimately engaged in the history and current operations of BAEI. There is irrefutable proof that UCSD is an active participant of racial discrimination through the scholarship, which results in the school’s violation of Proposition 209 and the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

For this timely endeavor, we are joined by CFER members who are: 1. a current UCSD student who was excluded from BASF due to her race (CFER Member A); 2. an Asian American high schooler who has plans to apply to UCSD (CFER Member B); 3. Multiple CFER high school members with plans to apply to UCSD (CFER High School Members); 4. Mr. Kai Peters, a non-Black UCSD junior who would have participated in both the financial and mentorship components of BAEI.

Thanks to CFER’s expanding base of constituents, we have been able to advocate for equality in the court of law on behalf of our members and supporters. This case is the seventh case we have brought against California public agencies in our tireless effort to defend equality. Of the seven, we have scored at least four victories and will continue to press forward.

To consolidate our readiness and efficiency to take on California entities in courts whenever racial discrimination is present, CFER is now officially a membership organization. For just $10 a year, you can become a CFER member and support our work for equality and merit. You will have opportunities to participate in all CFER's future endeavors whenever applicable, including but not limited to:

• Legal challenges to uphold equal treatment
• Alliance building
• Local organizing
• Policy monitoring

If you have donated to us before or if you are experiencing financial hardship, we can waive your membership due. Join us today!