The University of Utah is one of 45 institutions currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) over alleged use of racial preferences in educational programs. Federal officials are reviewing whether these universities violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through their affiliations with The Ph.D. Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at increasing diversity in business academia.
Federal Inquiry and Allegations
According to the Department of Education (DOE), the universities under scrutiny have been accused of discriminatory practices by partnering with The Ph.D. Project, which reportedly limits eligibility based on race. The organization provides doctoral students with networking opportunities and guidance in pursuing Ph.D. programs, but federal authorities argue that race-based eligibility criteria may constitute unlawful discrimination.
“The law is clear: Race cannot be a factor in educational programs or opportunities,” said newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “We are committed to ensuring students are evaluated on merit, not race.”
The DOE’s investigation follows recent federal directives reinforcing that institutions receiving government funding must not engage in race-based preferences in areas such as admissions, hiring, financial aid, and student programs.
University of Utah Responds
In response to the inquiry, the University of Utah issued a statement acknowledging the investigation and affirming its willingness to cooperate with federal authorities.
“The University of Utah is aware of the ongoing investigation concerning institutions that have partnered with The Ph.D. Project,” the statement read. “We will engage with federal investigators as part of the review process.”
The university also referenced recent adjustments to its diversity programs following Utah’s enactment of a law restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses. These changes included shutting down identity-based cultural centers and restructuring student services to be available to all students, regardless of personal characteristics.
Widespread Investigations at Elite Institutions
The University of Utah is among a list of prestigious institutions facing similar investigations, including Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, MIT, the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon, Vanderbilt, and Yale. The DOE is also separately investigating six universities for allegedly awarding race-based scholarships and another institution for reportedly segregating students based on race. However, no Utah schools are part of that specific probe.
Federal Civil Rights Letter and Policy Shift
Last month, the DOE’s OCR issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” reinforcing federal anti-discrimination laws and warning universities against race-based policies in admissions, financial aid, faculty hiring, and student programming.
Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, signed the letter, stating that discriminatory practices have become deeply ingrained in academia. He criticized institutions for promoting race-conscious policies under the banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion, arguing that such initiatives have marginalized certain student groups.
“Discrimination based on race is illegal and morally unacceptable,” Trainor wrote. “Educational institutions must end practices that categorize students based on race, whether in admissions, scholarships, or any other aspect of academia.”
The DOE warned that institutions failing to comply with federal civil rights laws could face consequences, including the potential loss of federal funding.
Additional Investigations Into Campus Antisemitism
Alongside the racial discrimination probes, the DOE has also launched an investigation into alleged antisemitic harassment at 60 colleges and universities. These institutions received warning letters this week, instructing them to fulfill their legal obligations to protect Jewish students from discrimination.
McMahon emphasized that institutions benefiting from taxpayer dollars must uphold federal civil rights laws.
“The Department is deeply concerned about the ongoing antisemitic threats on college campuses,” she said. “Universities must take stronger action to ensure Jewish students feel safe and protected.”
While no Utah schools were named in the antisemitism investigation, prominent institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Stanford, the University of Michigan, and Yale were among those flagged.
The DOE’s enforcement efforts have already had significant consequences. In a recent move, the federal government withdrew $400 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University over concerns that it had failed to address antisemitic harassment on its campus.
As the investigations continue, the University of Utah and other institutions under review may need to reassess their policies to ensure compliance with federal civil rights standards .
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