WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched a Title VI investigation into 45 universities across the country, including Boise State University and Washington State University, for alleged violations of federal civil rights laws. The investigation focuses on institutions accused of implementing race-based exclusions in graduate programs.
The inquiry follows a February 14 directive from the Department of Education, which reinforced that federally funded institutions must not use race as a determining factor in academic programs, scholarships, or student opportunities. Some universities under investigation are alleged to have partnered with The Ph.D. Project, a program that provides guidance for doctoral students but allegedly limits participation based on race.
Additionally, the OCR is investigating six universities for awarding scholarships based on race and one for allegedly administering a racially segregated program.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the department remains committed to enforcing civil rights protections in higher education. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment,” McMahon said.
Institutions under investigation could face penalties, including the loss of federal funding, if found in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race-based discrimination in federally funded programs.
The full list of universities under investigation for race-exclusionary graduate programs includes:
- Boise State University
- Arizona State University – Main Campus
- Cal Poly Humboldt
- California State University – San Bernardino
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Clemson University
- Cornell University
- 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 – Colorado Springs
- 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 Nevada – 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 State University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Yale University
The following universities are being investigated separately for race-based scholarships or segregation allegations:
- Grand Valley State University
- Ithaca College
- New England College of Optometry
- University of Alabama
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- University of South Florida
- University of Oklahoma, Tulsa School of Community Medicine
Students and faculty at Boise State University, Washington State University, and the University of Oregon may be directly impacted by this investigation, as federal scrutiny could lead to changes in diversity programs, scholarships, and recruitment efforts.
For more details, individuals can visit the Department of Education’s website.