ASU under federal investigation for allegedly engaging in ‘race-exclusionary practices’

PHOENIX – The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday it was investigating Arizona State University and dozens of other schools for alleged race-based practices.

ASU was one of 45 universities accused of “engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs” that violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the department said.

Seven other schools are under investigation for allegations of impermissible race-based scholarships or race-based segregation.

The new probes are part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a press release.

How did ASU respond to news of investigation?

Most of the inquiries are focused on colleges’ partnerships with the PhD Project, according to The Associated Press. The nonprofit group helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.

When ASU was asked for a response to the allegations, a university spokesperson issued the following statement:

The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University on Feb. 20 informed relevant faculty members that the school would not be supporting their travel to the upcoming PhD Project Conference. The school also this year is not financially supporting the PhD Project organization.

On Feb. 14, the Education Department issued 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.

ASU found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration twice this week. On Monday, the Education Department warned the Tempe-based university and dozens of other schools they were being monitored for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism on campus.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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