Bob Jones University looks to recruit minorities to counter image of racism

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Bob Jones University, the fundamentalist Christian school that dropped a ban on interracial dating after a visit by then-candidate George W. Bush drew attention to the policy, is recruiting minorities and says it wants to shake its racist image. <br> <br> The university is offering aid to minority students through two funds sponsored by private donations, school spokesman Jonathan Pait said Thursday. <br> <br> &#34;The primary reason was simply that there were students who wanted to come but couldn&#39;t afford it,&#34; Pait said. &#34;Another reason is that we&#39;re so often pointed out as being so racist. We wanted to take a stab at least to overcome that stereotype.&#34; <br> <br> The school of about 4,200 students was thrust into the national spotlight during a Bush campaign stop there two years ago. <br> <br> Bush was criticized for not addressing the school&#39;s ban on interracial dating and statements by Jones that were perceived as anti-Catholic and anti-Mormon. <br> <br> In the wake of the criticism, Bob Jones III, president of the university founded by his grandfather, announced that the school would drop its ban on interracial dating. <br> <br> The school first admitted black students after the Internal Revenue Service moved to revoke its tax-exempt status in 1970, citing discrimination. The dating ban remained, however, and the university lost the tax exemption in 1983. <br> <br> <br> ------ <br> <br> On the Net: <br> <br> University: http://www.bju.edu <br> <br> <br>