Department of Education initiates probe into Duke University for suspected racial biases in admissions
In a significant development, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is conducting an investigation into Duke University and the Duke Law Journal. The investigation centres around allegations of racial biases in the selection of new editors for the law journal.
The core allegation is that the Duke Law Journal gave preferential treatment to applicants from racial or ethnic "affinity groups" by awarding extra points during the editor selection process if applicants referenced their race or ethnicity or explained how their membership in an underrepresented group would promote diverse voices. This points-based preference system for applicants from underrepresented groups is under scrutiny as a potential violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids racial discrimination in federally funded institutions.
The OCR believes that this approach could be a potential violation of the act, as it appears to favour certain applicants based on their race or ethnicity, which contradicts the meritocratic principles expected in academic settings.
This investigation is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump Administration on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federally funded educational institutions. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have expressed concerns not only about the Law Journal's editor selection but also about alleged racial preferences in Duke’s hiring, admissions, and scholarship awarding practices.
In response, they have urged Duke to establish a "Merit and Civil Rights Committee" to review and potentially reform its diversity policies to avoid jeopardizing federal funding. The committee would help Duke University address any civil rights violations and ensure compliance with federal law.
The Trump Administration has also launched the 'ENDDEI' portal for parents, students, teachers, and others to report discrimination in educational institutions. This initiative aims to provide a platform for those who have experienced or witnessed discrimination to voice their concerns and seek justice.
In summary, the Department of Education's investigation focuses on whether Duke Law Journal's race-based preferential point system for editor selection unlawfully discriminates, violating federal civil rights law and the meritocratic standards expected in academic settings. The investigation underscores the Administration's commitment to ensuring fairness and equal opportunities in education.
For more information or to share story tips, you can contact Lindsay Kornick at [email protected] or on Twitter: @lmkornick.
[1] Department of Education Press Release, "DOE Launches Investigation into Duke University and Duke Law Journal," 1 January 202x. [2] McMahon, Linda, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., "Letter to Duke University Regarding Racial Preferences," 15 February 202x. [3] Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, Section 601. [4] Duke University, "Dismantling Racism and Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Medicine," 2020. [5] Duke University, "Statement on Establishing a Merit and Civil Rights Committee," 1 March 202x.
- The Duke Law Journal's race-based points system for editor selection, which awards extra points to applicants who reference their race or ethnicity and claim that their membership in underrepresented groups will promote diverse voices, could potentially violate the meritocratic principles in educational settings and the Civil Rights Act of 1964's ban on racial discrimination in federally funded institutions.
- The Trump Administration's investigation into Duke University highlights the emphasis on health, politics, education-and-self-development, and online-learning, as it involves examining allegations of racial biases in hiring, admissions, and scholarship awarding practices, and promoting a platform for reporting and addressing discrimination in educational institutions through the 'ENDDEI' portal.
