Feds probe alleged "race-exclusionary practices" at UC Berkeley
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Sather Tower on the University of California, Berkeley campus. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
UC Berkeley is one of 45 schools under investigation over allegations that they participated in "race-exclusionary practices" in their graduate programs, the Department of Education said Friday.
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 UC Berkeley and Stanford, 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."
The other side: "UC Berkeley has an unwavering commitment to having a campus free of discrimination," Dan Mogulof, assistant vice chancellor for executive communications, told Axios via email.
- "We will respond to any complaints or allegations through the process prescribed" by the Department of Education.
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.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comment from UC Berkeley.