The U.S. Department of Education has initiated investigations into 52 universities across 41 states for allegedly employing “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.” The Office of Civil Rights accused 45 schools, particularly their graduate programs, of violating the 1964 Civil Rights Act by collaborating with The PhD Project, a nonprofit aiding underrepresented groups in obtaining doctoral degrees in business, focusing on Black, Latino, and Native American students.

The Education Department claims that The PhD Project’s eligibility criteria based on race constitute “race-exclusionary practices” and insists on assessing students based on merit rather than skin color. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the commitment to fair assessment. Notably, state schools, Ivy Leagues like Cornell and Yale, and private institutions such as Duke, Emory, and MIT are under scrutiny, among others.

Furthermore, seven universities face probes for awarding alleged “impermissible race-based scholarships” and segregating students by race. Notably, Grand Valley State University and the University of Alabama are among those accused. The department’s recent actions align with a broader directive warning against “race-based preferences” in educational institutions, prompting legal challenges from major teacher unions.

Additionally, the Education Department is investigating 60 universities for antisemitic discrimination, with overlapping institutions in both probes. The ongoing investigations coincide with significant staff cuts in the Office for Civil Rights, raising concerns about the department’s capacity to address discrimination complaints effectively.