University allegedly told white female student she would get more aid if she was black

The University of Oklahoma deleted some diversity information to “obscure the extent to which it has engaged in race-based decision making,” according to a pending federal lawsuit.

Furthermore, it appears more pages were deleted after the filing of the suit, according to a review by The College Fix.

“It is therefore difficult to determine the full extent of the University’s race-based programs,” the lawsuit states.

The federal lawsuit accuses the public university in Norman of violating the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by awarding some financial aid on the basis of race.

“Rather than determining who to admit based on their race, the University of Oklahoma determines how much financial aid it gives to students based on their race,” the lawsuit states. “That is unlawful.”

The lawsuit lists a multitude of race-based programming the university offers.

These programs include the “McLaurin & Lewis Leadership Conference,” which is a “college preview program for African American students,” “Welcome Black Weekend,” an orientation event for black students, and “Black Excellence Ceremony,” a segregated graduation event.

The College Fix was able to verify that these events do exist, but the university’s webpages cited in the lawsuit no longer exist.

No one at the university responded to requests for comment.

The Fix contacted the university’s media relations department three times in the past week and a half, asking for comment. The Fix also contacted the named defendants in the lawsuit on June 10.

The plaintiffs, three white students, filed the lawsuit on May 15. According to the Wayback Machine, an internet archive, at least one of the pages was still in existence at that time. The university had already deleted another of the pages, and the archive did not record the third.

The defendants’ legal counsel Pete Patterson declined to comment for this story. (Former College Fix reporter Kate Hardiman is a listed co-counsel).

According to the lawsuit, the university had a page about “increas[ing] African American student . . . representation on campus.” The page no longer exists. The Fix could find nothing similar to the phrase anywhere else on the university’s website.

The lawsuit says that the university is doing it on purpose. “In an effort to obscure the extent to which it has engaged in race-based decision making, the University of Oklahoma has recently deleted many webpages with information about its diversity and race-based programs.”

The lawsuit alleges that an admissions official told Kayla Savage, one of the plaintiffs, that “financial aid was generally not available to students like, her but would have been if she were African American.”

All three defendants identified themselves as “white and non-Hispanic” on their college applications. Brayden Johnson is in an accelerated master’s degree program. Logan Rhines is a junior.

“Universities that discriminate on the basis of race when making financial-aid awards violate the same equal protection principles that apply in the admissions context and elsewhere,” the lawsuit states.

There is statistical evidence, the attorneys argue, to further back up their complaint.

“A statistical analysis of publicly available data indicates that the University of Oklahoma considers race when awarding financial aid to its students,” the lawsuit states.

The analysis of UO’s financial aid “analysis shows that black students receive more institutional grant aid from the University of Oklahoma than other students, even when controlling to the extent possible for factors such as family income.”

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IMAGES: University of Oklahoma; Welcome Black OU/Instagram

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On Thursday evening, Stillwater (OK) 2028 wide receiver David Thomas announced that he received an offer from Oklahoma State.

Thomas’ first Division I offer came on the heels of an impressive outing at the Brent Venables Football Camp in Norman, where the incoming freshman worked against the top group of defensive backs in one-on-one drills. Thomas got opened at all three levels of the field and showcased good speed, quickness and route running ability.

In addition to snapping off comeback routes for easy completions, Thomas was also able to run by defensive backs who were heading into their sophomore and junior seasons on deep passes. In a solid group of pass catchers, Thomas was one of the youngest prospects, but also one of the top performers.

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, the Pioneers’ standout pass catcher already has decent size and will likely still grow, especially in a high school weight program.

In addition to the Pokes being the first school to offer Thomas, the skilled wideout is also the first recruit Mike Gundy and company have extended an offer to in the 2028 recruiting class.

While Thomas will likely receive attention from schools around the country as his recruitment progresses, OSU being the hometown school and the first program to show real interest in the rising freshman should help keep the Cowboys in the mix.

While the 2028 class is still a long ways away, Thomas has the potential to be the top wide receiver in the entire region.

Want to join the discussion? Like AllPokes on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

MONKEY ISLAND, OKLAHOMA – The Battlefield Par 3 Golf Course at the acclaimed lakefront Shangri-La Resort, part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection, has been awarded the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association’s coveted RedBud Award as the “Best New Attraction in Oklahoma in 2023.” The award was presented to Shangri-La representatives at the OTIA RedBud Award ceremonies at The Oklahoma Tourism Conference in Edmond, OK Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

The RedBud Awards represent the highest honor in the tourism industry in Oklahoma. Shangri-La, located on northeastern Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, had previously been honored as “Best Lodging in Oklahoma” in 2018 and the resort was named “Best Attraction in Oklahoma” in 2022. The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La, which opened in June 2021, was named “Best New Attraction” by OTIA at the 2023 Awards Banquet.

Shangri-La’s PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder, PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors, and Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield Bradley Jumper were joined by Director of Sales Dana Able, Director of Communications Mike Williams, and Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Amanda Davis to accept the honor which was presented by Oklahoma Travel Industry Association President & CEO James Leewright and Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Director Shelley Zumwalt.

The 3,000-yard Battlefield layout is a short course of creative, articulated scale and vision, constructed on an exceptional piece of land that features more than 100 feet of elevation change across its acreage. The scenic, strategic course was completed for $15 million with each hole named in honor of an Oklahoma veteran of WWII. The facility has its own clubhouse and turn house concessions and golf carts, as well as a short warm-up facility and an expansive putting green.

Designed by architects Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson, with building designs by Mark Thomas, The Battlefield features Bermuda grass fairways and Bent Grass greens, just like the 27-hole Championship course at Shangri-La. Although the course can be walked, golfers should prepare for dramatic elevation changes. With multiple tee boxes, The Battlefield’s difficulty of the course will vary depending on the tee boxes chosen by players.

“The Battlefield is a beautiful, captivating, and purposefully designed short course like no other,” says PGA Director of Golf Ryan Snyder. “It’s an endlessly fun and engaging experience for golfers of every skill level that also recognizes our brave military personnel, with special commemorations to World War II veterans on every hole. The course has an energy and excitement that, along with our renovated, world-class 27-hole championship course, elevates the golf experience at Shangri-La into the ‘Must Play’ category among the nation’s destination resorts.”

This enjoyable, accessible par-54 course which features holes from 110 to 245 yards, joins the acclaimed 27 championship holes at Shangri-La, the Legends, Heritage and Champions courses (framed elegantly on the shores of the expansive Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees) to present an extraordinary 45-hole golfer’s paradise that buddies’ trip groups and golf aficionados from all over the country will want to add to their bucket list.

“The Battlefield is a unique facility,” said Bradley Jumper, Head Golf Professional at The Battlefield. “The facility is obviously beautiful. The piece of land is amazing for a par 3. It’s great for players of all ranges – good players can make their game more difficult by changing tees. The patio at the new club house is sensational. It’s a spectacular view of the course and a very relaxing atmosphere.”

PGA Head Golf Professional Jerrod Neighbors promises players that The Battlefield is not like any Par 3 course golfers may have played. The terrain is rugged. The existence of five tee boxes plus the close-up Felix tees gives golfers the choice of making play as easy or as difficult as they like.

“It’s a wonderful, relaxed family atmosphere at The Battlefield,” Neighbors says. “It’s a place where players are going to want to spend a lot of time. It’s a really fun course, but it’s challenging. Every hole has a different challenge. There are no cookie-cutter holes on this course; and the greens are difficult enough that, even though every hole is a Par 3, we actually see a lot of three-putts,” he laughs.

“It’s not like the typical Par 3,” Neighbors says. “At most Par 3 courses you find yourself using the same three clubs over and over. The Battlefield isn’t like that.  Bring all your clubs. You can use them all! Play different tees. Experience different games. Mix it up. Play different tees. And have a great time. It can be a different experience every time you play.”

The Battlefield is open six days a week (closed Wednesdays). The Championship Course at Shangri-La is open for play seven days a week.

Visit shangrilaok.com for more information.

About Shangri-La Resort
Shangri-La Resort, located on northeastern Oklahoma’s 46,500-acre Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, is the ultimate destination for relaxation and both indoor and outdoor activities. The resort hotel offers 9,000 square feet of versatile meeting and conference space, as well as a medical spa, steam room, sauna, fitness center, an indoor pool, and an expansive 6,500-square-foot outdoor pool with hot tub, tanning ledge, and splash pad. The resort offers six distinct dining and cocktails venues to complete an unforgettable 45-hole golf destination and retreat for families, groups, corporate and association retreats, and weddings.

About Crescent Hotels & Resorts Crescent Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, nationally recognized operator of hotels and resorts with over 120 properties in Canada and the United States. Crescent is one of the few elite management companies approved to operate upper-upscale and luxury hotels under the brand families of Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Crescent also operates a collection of independent and lifestyle properties under the Latitudes Collection umbrella. These properties include PGA National Resort, Horseshoe Bay Resort, and The Opus Westchester Autograph Collection. Powered by innovative, forward-thinking experts, Latitudes is a modern management platform for lifestyle hotels and resorts where creative concepts connect with modern travelers from urban boutique hotels to oceanside luxury resorts.

Crescent’s clients include premiere REITs, private equity firms and major developers. For more information, please visit  www.crescenthotels.com and www.latitudesbycrescent.com or connect with Crescent on LinkedIn.

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