Trump administration probing certain educational institutions
The Trump administration has launched numerous investigations into schools and universities across the nation, focusing on alleged incidents of antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender policies. Over 60 colleges and universities have been under scrutiny for antisemitism, around 45 for diversity program issues, and many K-12 policies on transgender athletes and access have also been examined.
Some of the institutions under investigation or under the spotlight include:
- The University of Louisville, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Miami, University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University, which have been accused of national origin discrimination, favouring undocumented students or specific minority groups in scholarship awards.
- Columbia University, Brown University, and the University of Pennsylvania, which have settled federal investigations linked to antisemitism allegations. Columbia University agreed to pay a $200 million fine and adopt a federal antisemitism definition, as well as revise its disciplinary processes.
- Duke University, which has been ordered to submit detailed admissions data, including race and sex demographics, related to affirmative action policies. It is also under investigation for alleged racial considerations in admissions and health/medical school operations.
The Education Department and other agencies have also looked into policies that protect transgender athletes. Many K-12 institutions and state education departments have been targeted, although the details are not specified.
The investigations announced publicly involve allegations of antisemitism and racial discrimination against white students at dozens of colleges. Most of the K-12 investigations by the administration involve transgender policies, including access to sports and locker rooms.
The majority of investigations opened are in states considered to be liberal. The list and map of investigations will be updated as more information becomes available.
Sarah Butrymowicz, the investigations editor for this story, can be contacted at butrymowicz@ourwebsite or on Signal: @sbutry.04. Readers can also inform about an investigation missed by the administration by emailing editor@ourwebsite.
Many institutions face more than one investigation, marking a shift in priorities from previous administrations. The Trump administration's investigations reflect a focus on alleged discrimination against white students, enforcement on affirmative action admissions, and opposition to policies supporting transgender students.
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- The focus on investigations by the Trump administration in the realm of education extends beyond colleges, reaching K-12 institutions, particularly in matters of transgender policies related to sports and locker rooms.
- The ongoing investigations by the Trump administration, predominantly in liberal states, highlight an emphasis on alleged discrimination against white students, affirmative action admissions, and opposition to policies supporting transgender students – sectors that this independent news organization, dedicated to reporting on inequality and innovation in education, closely follows.
