The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday that it will investigate four California universities for possible illegal practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their admissions processes. The schools under scrutiny are UCLA, UC Irvine, Stanford, and UC Berkeley. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the investigation aims to ensure compliance with state law and U.S. Supreme Court rulings that prohibit considering race in college admissions.
This "compliance review" comes as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to challenge DEI initiatives across various sectors, including education. Bondi emphasized a commitment to ending discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunities in higher education. However, the announcement lacked specific details or evidence of wrongdoing at the universities.
Rachel Zaentz, a spokesperson for the University of California, pointed out that the UC system has not considered race in admissions since the implementation of Proposition 209 in 1997. She stated that while the application collects demographic data for statistical purposes, this information is not shared with admissions reviewers. The UC system prides itself on a holistic admissions approach that seeks to expand access for all qualified students.
Stanford also confirmed that it ceased considering race in its admissions process after the Supreme Court declared affirmative action unconstitutional in 2023. A spokesperson mentioned the university’s commitment to following legal guidelines and expressed eagerness to address the Justice Department’s concerns.
The investigations follow a trend in which the Department of Education has warned schools that diversity-focused programs could jeopardize federal funding. Many universities have responded by dismantling diversity offices or removing DEI language from their policies.
The Justice Department’s actions signal a new level of scrutiny on California’s higher education institutions, especially following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that has led to declines in Black and Latino student admissions at several elite schools. In contrast, UC schools have managed to maintain or even increase their enrollment of nonwhite students through outreach efforts.
As the situation unfolds, these universities will need to respond to the Justice Department’s inquiries, which could have significant implications for their admissions practices and broader DEI initiatives.