Feds probe alleged "race-exclusionary practices" at University of Utah
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The Department of Education said Friday it is investigating 45 colleges, including the University of Utah, over allegations that they participated in "race-exclusionary practices" in their graduate programs.
Why it matters: It's the latest attempt by the Trump administration to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which have been repeatedly targeted since Trump came into office.
- The letter comes after the department warned 60 colleges, including Harvard and Yale, that their federal funds could be cut if they don't address allegations of antisemitic harassment on campus.
Driving the news: The department said in a statement it was investigating the 45 schools for potentially violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which obliges schools that receive federal funds to provide students with an environment free of discrimination based on race, color or national origin.
- The department claimed the schools may have violated the law by partnering with the organization The Ph.D. Project, which "purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants."
- The department is also investigating six colleges for allegedly awarding "race-based scholarships" and another for "administering a program that segregates students on the basis of race."
- No other Utah colleges were named in the investigation.
The other side: The Ph.D. Project and the University of Utah did not immediately provide comment to Axios.
Zoom in: Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law last year banning DEI programs in public colleges and government agencies.
- That prompted the University of Utah to close some student resource centers, including its LGBTQ+ and women's centers.
Between the lines: Framing schools' DEI programs, which are meant to provide equal opportunities for students of color, as "race-exclusionary" also aligns with some Trump allies' desire to reinterpret Civil Rights-era laws to focus on "anti-white racism" rather than discrimination against people of color, Axios' Alex Thompson has reported.
The big picture: The Trump administration's targeting of DEI practices comes after the Supreme Court in 2023 overturned affirmative action in college admissions.
- Trump's White House has also targeted the use of diversity and affirmative action practices in the federal government.