The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is among more than 50 universities under investigation by the Education Department for alleged racial discrimination.
These investigations align with efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that officials claim may exclude white and Asian American students.
On March 14, the Education Department announced these investigations, following a memo issued a month earlier warning educational institutions that they could risk losing federal funding due to “race-based preferences” in various aspects of student life, including admissions and scholarships.
The Education Department announced the new investigations on March 14, one month after issuing a memo warning America’s schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over “race-based preferences” in admissions, scholarships, or any aspect of student life.
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
Many of the investigations target colleges’ collaborations with the PhD Project, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing diversity in the business sector by supporting students from underrepresented groups in obtaining business degrees.
The Associated Press contributed parts of this report.
