Public Statement: Settlement Reached in Urban Journalism Workshop Lawsuit

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University confirms that a settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit against VCU and several faculty members and other sponsors of the VCU Urban Journalism Workshop, including Media General Inc., parent company of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, and several individuals associated with the sponsors. 

The lawsuit was filed by the Center for Individual Rights on behalf of Emily Smith, a Caucasian high school student, who sought enrollment in the summer journalism workshop, traditionally described as an outreach program to interest minority students in journalism as a career.

Under the settlement, VCU, while not admitting any wrongdoing, and consistent with its long standing race-neutral admissions policies, will continue to operate the workshop and will offer Smith admission to the 2007 summer program. VCU also will pay $25,000 to Ms. Smith and her attorneys in exchange for their agreement to dismiss the lawsuit.

VCU currently expects to be able to continue the workshop beyond 2007. As one of the most diverse institutions in Virginia, VCU remains committed to inclusiveness in all of its programs.