White students at Alabama State University, a predominantly black school, have been benefiting from a federal desegregation order for white-only scholarships.

The scholarship program began in 1995 at Alabama State and since then has increased the white student population from 7 percent to 10 percent.

However, some people at the university feel the program is government-sponsored exclusion and unfair for students ineligible for the scholarships due to their race.

Iowa State students and faculty have differing opinions on this issue.

“It sounds to me like a good response to a situation of discrimination,” said Jose Amaya, assistant professor of English and Latino studies.

He said this is an issue of diversity, not quotas, which are illegal.

“Responding to racial or ethnic diversity is the right thing to do, regardless of the location,” Amaya said.

However, Roxanne Smith, president of the Black Student Alliance, said it is more an issue of white students not wanting to go to historically black schools.

“I don’t think the reason white people weren’t coming was because of discrimination,” said Smith, senior in accounting.

Smith said she doesn’t see a problem with historically black schools.

“I think it’s a shame that you need a white scholarship to make them attend the school,” she said. “Everywhere else they are ending race-based scholarships.”

ISU awards eight minority scholarships each year to incoming freshman, with many more available from outside sources, according to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Rafael Rodriguez, director of Minority Student Affairs, said the background of the desegregation order goes back to unequal education issues in 1975.

“It’s continuing to address those issues,” he said. “It is the result of negotiated settlements that are coming to fruition.”

He said ISU is not involved in any of these negotiated settlements.

Frank Bell, student service specialist in design and former Minority Student Affairs program director, said it is important to involve current students and faculty in the process.

“What may seem like a good thing on paper may not necessarily be a good thing for the community,” he said.

Amaya said he believes Alabama State responded positively to an issue of discrimination.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with setting goals and committing some funds to address those needs,” he said.