The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened investigations into 45 universities across the country, examining potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The investigations, announced today, follow the OCR’s February 14th “Dear Colleague Letter” which reminded educational institutions of their obligations to eliminate the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in their programs and activities.
Many of the 45 institutions’ investigations stem from allegations that these universities have violated Title VI by partnering with “The Ph.D. Project.” This organization reportedly offers doctoral students insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but is alleged to limit eligibility based on the race of participants.
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In addition to the probes related to the Ph.D. Project, OCR is also investigating six universities for allegedly awarding impermissible race-based scholarships and one university for allegedly administering a program that segregates students based on race.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon commented on the expanded enforcement efforts. “The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination,” said Secretary McMahon. “The agency has already launched Title VI investigations into institutions where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported and Title IX investigations into entities which allegedly continue to allow sex discrimination; today’s announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes.”
Secretary McMahon emphasized the department’s stance, stating, “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.”
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On February 14, OCR issued a Dear Colleague Letter to educational institutions receiving federal funding, clarifying that federal antidiscrimination law requires them to cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and other programs and activities. This was followed by the release of FAQs on March 1st to address potential questions regarding the letter.
These OCR investigations are being conducted under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in education programs and activities receiving federal funding. Institutions found to be in violation of Title VI could face the loss of federal funds.
The universities now under investigation for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs include: Arizona State University – Main Campus, Boise State University, Cal Poly Humboldt, California State University – San Bernadino, Carnegie Mellon University, Clemson University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Montana State University-Bozeman, New York University (NYU), Rice University, Rutgers University, The Ohio State University – Main Campus, Towson University, Tulane University, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, University of California-Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Cincinnati – Main Campus, University of Colorado at Colorado, University of Delaware, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of New Mexico – Main Campus, University of North Dakota – Main Campus, University of North Texas – Denton, University of Notre Dame, University of NV – Las Vegas, University of Oregon, University of Rhode Island, University of Utah, University of Washington-Seattle, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wyoming, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Yale University.
The schools under investigation for alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, New England College of Optometry, University of Alabama, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, University of South Florida, and University of Tulsa School of Medicine.
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