Texas Universities Under Scrutiny for Alleged Discriminatory Admissions Practices
WASHINGTON – The University of North Texas (UNT) and Rice University, two prominent institutions in Texas, are currently part of an investigation launched by the U.S. Department of Education. The inquiry is focused on allegations concerning race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.
These institutions are among 45 universities identified in a recent memorandum from the department, adding to the ongoing conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education admissions.
The Investigation’s Background
This investigation stems from a “Dear Colleague” letter sent on February 14 by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights. Within this correspondence, schools were explicitly warned that they could face repercussions, including the loss of federal funding, if they continued to implement policies that favor specific races in admissions, scholarship opportunities, or other areas of student life.
Why are UNT and Rice University Being Investigated?
The focus of these investigations primarily concerns partnerships colleges have established with the PhD Project. This nonprofit organization aims to support underrepresented groups pursuing doctoral degrees in business, with the broader goal of fostering diversity within the business sector. The Department of Education has accused this initiative of excluding participants based on race and claims universities partnering with it are engaging in discriminatory practices.
Official Statements
In a news release, Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the commitment to ensuring that student evaluations should hinge solely on merit rather than racial characteristics. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” McMahon stated. (Source: U.S. Department of Education)
As of now, officials from Rice University have declined to provide comments on the matter, while the University of North Texas has yet to respond to requests for statements.
Legal Context and Broader Implications
The Department of Education’s actions follow a significant Supreme Court ruling from 2023, which prohibited the use of race as a criterion for admissions decisions. The ruling predominantly addressed the admissions strategies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. However, the department now suggests that this interpretation will extend to any aspect of educational policy, both in K-12 and in higher education.
In a memo, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, voiced concerns about diversity initiatives potentially perpetuating racial stereotypes rather than dismantling them. This directive faces challenges in federal lawsuits initiated by major teachers’ unions, arguing that the memo lacks clarity and infringes on educators’ freedom of speech.
List of Schools Under Investigation
A total of 45 universities, including UNT and Rice, are under scrutiny for their affiliations with the PhD Project. A list of these institutions includes:
- Arizona State University – Main Campus
- Boise State University
- Cal Poly Humboldt
- Clemson University
- Cornell University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Chicago
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- University of California-Berkeley
- Rice University
- University of North Texas – Denton
- (and 34 others)
Additionally, six other educational institutions are being investigated for allegedly providing “impermissible race-based scholarships,” while one institution faces accusations of operating a program that segregates students based on race.
The Department of Education has yet to specify which of the institutions listed above are facing allegations of segregation.
Final Note: These ongoing investigations exemplify the evolving landscape of higher education in America, as institutions navigate the complexities of race, equity, and funding in a rapidly changing sociopolitical environment.
