The U.S. Department of Education is currently examining 45 universities regarding their race-based eligibility programs, as there are concerns about possible infringements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This investigation, which was made public on March 14, stems from allegations that these institutions participated in a program intended to enhance diversity in business school admissions. Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency in January, his administration has aimed to limit initiatives that provide support based on race, gender, or ethnicity. Trump, along with numerous conservatives, contends that such diversity initiatives create an unfair disadvantage for white Americans.
The Department of Education has indicated that these university programs might contravene the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was established to combat discrimination against non-white individuals. Although the department did not identify specific individuals who may have been adversely affected by these programs, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon highlighted in a statement that “Today’s announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes.”
