Emory University is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for its affiliation with The PhD Project, a nonprofit that focuses on supporting Black, Latino, and Native American students in business doctoral programs.
The inquiry is part of a broader federal effort to eliminate race-based preferences in higher education following President Donald Trump’s executive orders to purge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and programs from the federal government and public education.
The Associated Press reported that 52 universities in 41 states are part of the probe.
The investigation stems from concerns that Emory’s partnership with The PhD Project may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination in federally funded institutions. The probe is part of a larger shift in federal enforcement, expanding on the 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning race-based admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
Emory has not publicly commented on the investigation, but other universities involved have denied wrongdoing. The PhD Project has not responded to the probe. If found in violation of Title VI, Emory could face federal penalties, including the loss of funding.
Advocates for diversity programs have criticized the investigations, while Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the crackdown, emphasizing merit-based evaluations.
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment,” McMahon said in a statement.
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2025-03-15 12:32:01
