BIRMINGHAM, Ala – The University of Alabama is among seven colleges under federal investigation for allegedly awarding race-based scholarships or administering race-segregated programs, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday.
The investigations are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in education.
“The department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a written statement. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin.”
The University of Alabama is closed for spring break did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. The U.S. Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
The investigations are led by the department’s Office for Civil Rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded education programs. Institutions found in violation risk losing federal funding.
The investigations follow the office’s February 14 Dear Colleague Letter, which reminded schools they must drop race preferences and stereotypes in admissions, hiring, promotions, compensation, scholarships, and other programs.
In addition to the seven schools under scrutiny for race-based scholarships and segregation, the Office for Civil Rights is investigating 45 universities, none of which are in Alabama, for alleged Title VI violations related to “The Ph.D. Project,” a program promoting diversity that reportedly restricts participation by race.
Also on Friday, the National Center for Youth Law filed a federal lawsuit challenging OCR’s decision to “effectively stop investigating civil rights complaints.” It was filed on behalf of two parents who have pending investigations that OCR has not completed.
In January, a group of UA and UAB professors and students filed a state lawsuit challenging an Alabama law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities and put limits on how race and gender can be discussed in the college classroom.