Penn State University abandons idea for 'Center for Racial Justice'

Penn State University is abandoning the idea of creating a "Center for Racial Justice" to increase diversity and "challenge racism," The Daily Beast reports.  

"There is remarkable [diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging] scholarship and practice underway by current faculty, staff, and students across the University, and we remain deeply committed to continuing to build on the foundation of scholarly research and programming around racism and racial bias at Penn State," university President Neeli Bendapudi said Wednesday about the roughly 2-year-old plan.

"I have determined that enhancing support for current efforts by people who know Penn State best will be more impactful than investing in a new venture, and so we will not pursue efforts to launch a Center for Racial Justice."

Bendapudi said she made the announcement after speaking to staff and students, then determining that the school already had areas and organizations that focused on racial equity.