LEXINGTON, Ky. — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating 45 universities, including the University of Kentucky, for what it calls "race-exclusionary practices" in their graduate programs. 

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into approximately 50 public universities, including the University of Kentucky, as part of President Donald Trump's administration's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives  

  • The DOE alleges UK and other schools of engaging in "race-exclusionary practices" 

  • The DOE cites violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964)

  • Some leaders said they continue to support diversity initiatives as Trump and other Republican lawmakers push back

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin," said Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education, in the DOE announcement. "We will not yield on this commitment."

President Donald Trump's administration notified public universities in February to end the use of "racial preferences" in their programs and activities or face the loss of federal funding. Institutions across the country, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to UC Berkeley, are accused of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to the DOE. Title VI prohibits discrimination "on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance," according to the U.S. Department of Justice 

“We are aware of the release this morning from the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights," a University of Kentucky spokesperson said Friday. "We have not received any official notification of this review, so we cannot comment further.”

“It provides a chilling effect to the whole educational enterprise, as you talked about a guidance counselor, what is it that I can do to help a student who is interested in going and studying in a particular area at a particular institution,” said Raymond Burse, president of the NAACP branch in Louisville and former president of Kentucky State University.

“Your whole training if you choose to be a teacher, an administrator in built on your helping students to achieve and to excel and here with these broad assertions, broad policy changes, articulated policy changes, you really don’t know."

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, said he supports the Trump administration's investigation.

"Our institutions of higher learning should be focused on merit, excellence and equal opportunity for all, not ideological litmus tests," Barr said in a statement. "I have full confidence that the University of Kentucky will continue to uphold these principles, ensuring a fair and inclusive environment for all students and faculty.”

Chris Hartman, director of Kentucky's Fairness Campaign, said he supports continuing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as Trump and Republican lawmakers push back. 

“Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are only created to ensure that hose folks who have been disproportionately disadvantaged through the years have the support that they need to succeed," Hartman said. 

Another seven institutions are accused of providing "impermissible race-based scholarships."

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