Federal Investigations Target 52 Universities Over Race-Based Practices

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 50 universities are under federal investigation for alleged racial discrimination as part of a campaign by the Trump administration that could potentially strip institutions of federal funds. The Education Department announced Friday that these 52 schools across 41 states violated civil rights laws by engaging in “race-exclusionary practices” in their admissions and scholarship policies.

The investigations stem from a directive issued last month by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who emphasized that students should be evaluated on merit rather than race. “We will not yield on this commitment,” McMahon stated. This initiative is seen as an extension of a Supreme Court decision that limits the consideration of race in college admissions.

Among the institutions under scrutiny are notable public universities such as Arizona State University and the University of Alabama, as well as elite private schools, including Harvard and Yale. The department’s focus is particularly on colleges that have partnered with the nonprofit organization, The PhD Project, which aims to support students from underrepresented groups in pursuing doctoral degrees.

Officials claim these partnerships engage in race-based eligibility criteria, which, according to the Education Department, violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” McMahon reiterated.

The list of schools includes 45 institutions, primarily targeting their graduate programs. Additionally, investigations will assess six other colleges for awarding scholarships based on race and one university accused of operating a segregated program for students.

Among the universities reportedly defending their practices is Ithaca College, whose representatives stated that the institution does not discriminate and adheres strictly to the law. Similarly, a spokesperson for Notre Dame emphasized the university’s commitment to ethical principles, denying any form of racial discrimination.

The Education Department warned that failure to comply with the new directive could lead to significant enforcement actions, further heightening tensions within higher education institutions already facing scrutiny for their diversity initiatives.

Linda McMahon’s memo has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from teacher unions who argue it infringes on academic freedom. “There’s a deep sense of moral distress among educators,” said Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The controversy comes amid broader concerns over academic autonomy and expressed fears about governmental overreach into adherence to federal educational standards.

The department’s aggressive stance has prompted lawsuits from the largest educational unions, who claim the vague language of the directive undermines free speech rights for educators and promotes a chilling effect on discussions related to diversity and inclusion.