The Trump administration has launched investigations into over 50 universities regarding their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Officials claim these policies may discriminate against white and Asian students. The Department of Education announced the investigations on a Friday, just a month after urging universities to eliminate their DEI programs or risk losing federal funding.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that students should be evaluated based on their achievements and not judged by their race. She stated, "We will not yield on this commitment." The scrutiny is particularly focused on 45 universities linked to the PhD Project, an organization that aims to assist doctoral students but reportedly limits participation based on race.
Among the universities under investigation are well-known institutions like Yale, Vanderbilt, and New York University. The Education Department also identified six universities for allegedly offering race-based scholarships and another for hosting a racially segregated program. Some of these colleges include the University of Alabama and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
This wave of investigations follows a memo from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The memo criticized educational institutions for engaging in practices that discriminate against students based on race, particularly affecting white and Asian students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Craig Trainor, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, highlighted that DEI initiatives have sometimes led to racial stereotypes and a focus on race in educational settings.
As the investigations unfold, the administration is making it clear that it will take a strong stance against any perceived discrimination in higher education.