The Trump administration has launched an investigation into California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), among 45 universities nationwide, for alleged violations of civil rights laws related to doctoral admissions. The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights revealed that it is looking into whether the campuses engaged in “race-exclusionary practices” that could be in violation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The investigation targets institutions accused of partnering with The Ph.D. Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to increase diversity in business schools. The organization helps underrepresented racial and ethnic groups—Black, Latinx, and Native American students—pursue Ph.D. programs in business with the goal of becoming university faculty. The administration claims that these partnerships may be discriminatory and lead to racial preferences in admissions, which could violate federal laws prohibiting racial discrimination.
Allegations against CSU San Bernardino
CSUSB is one of three California campuses under scrutiny for its affiliation with The Ph.D. Project, which has been instrumental in increasing the number of minority students entering doctoral business programs. According to the university’s demographics, 70% of students identify as Hispanic, and the institution has a student body where nearly 90% identify as a race other than white.
The Trump administration’s investigation stems from a broader effort to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in higher education. In February, the Department of Education issued a “dear colleague” letter, threatening to revoke federal funding from schools that support race-specific programs, such as those involving The Ph.D. Project. “We will not tolerate racial discrimination in our nation’s educational institutions,” said US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, as reported by the Patch.
Federal scrutiny of diversity programs
CSU officials responded by confirming their awareness of the investigation. “CSU has recently learned of the investigations and will be reviewing and seeking to understand the nature of the claim,” said Amy Bentley-Smith, a spokeswoman for the CSU system, as quoted by the Patch. The university maintains that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Alongside CSUSB, the University of California, Berkeley, and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, are also under investigation for their involvement with The Ph.D. Project. The investigations come at a time when the Department of Education is also reducing its civil rights staff, with hundreds of attorneys recently let go.
As the probe continues, it is expected to have significant implications for diversity programs at universities across the US.
