The U.S. Department of Education has begun investigations into claims of race-based discrimination at three California universities and 49 others across the country. This move comes as the Trump administration pushes for the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools, arguing these initiatives disadvantage white and Asian American students.
The schools under scrutiny in California are UC Berkeley, Cal Poly Humboldt, and Cal State San Bernardino. This action follows a memo issued by the department about a month ago, warning that federal funding could be revoked for schools that continue to support DEI efforts or consider race in their programs. This includes practices like promoting scholarships for minority groups or hosting cultural graduation ceremonies.
The investigations are part of a broader initiative targeting institutions in 40 states and Washington, D.C. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that students should be evaluated based on their achievements rather than their race. She stated, “We will not yield on this commitment.”
The focus of the investigations is partly on partnerships that these universities have with the PhD Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to increase diversity among business school faculty. The Department of Education claims the PhD Project restricts eligibility based on race, which raises concerns under federal anti-discrimination laws.
Officials from UC Berkeley have expressed their commitment to addressing any allegations and ensuring a discrimination-free campus. Similarly, representatives from the California State University system stated they are reviewing the claims and will cooperate with the investigation while affirming their compliance with federal laws.
The PhD Project responded by stating that its applications are now open to everyone, though they did not clarify when this change was implemented. The organization aims to create a diverse talent pipeline for future business leaders through mentorship and networking.
In addition to the California cases, the Department of Education is also investigating six other universities for allegedly providing race-based scholarships and one for running a program that segregates students by race. These investigations follow a recent directive from the Trump administration, which stated that using race in decisions related to admissions, hiring, and other aspects of campus life could violate anti-discrimination laws.
This wave of investigations is part of a larger trend, as many universities across the country have started to dismantle DEI offices and remove related language from their policies and websites. Some institutions, like USC, have merged their DEI offices with other departments, while others have eliminated scholarships aimed at supporting Black and Indigenous students.
The Education Department’s recent actions come amid significant layoffs within the department, which has led to the closure of regional offices that previously handled civil rights cases. This has raised concerns about the capacity of the department to effectively manage the investigations.
As the situation unfolds, the implications for diversity initiatives at colleges and universities across the nation remain uncertain, with many institutions grappling with how to comply with new federal guidelines while still supporting diversity on their campuses.