Administration of Donald Trump has launched an investigation into how race is considered in admissions at three medical schools, increasing scrutiny of higher education institutions.The United States Department of Justice announced Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into possible discrimination at medical schools affiliated with Stanford University, Ohio State University and the University of California San Diego.Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon announced the investigation on social media platform X.
Focus on admission data and records.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to review universities it says are influenced by liberal policies. The administration has previously focused on undergraduate admissions at select colleges and asked institutions to provide data to demonstrate compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that ended affirmative action in college admissions.In a letter to The Ohio State University, Dhillon said the Interior Department is seeking records related to the “use or lack of race” in decisions, AssociateP reported. The department also requested applicant-level data, including test scores, race and ethnicity information, and final admissions decisions.The application covers applicants for the incoming class beginning in 2019. A separate document lists detailed records required by the government, including internal reviews of admissions trends by race.
Universities answer.
Ohio State spokesman Benjamin Johnson said the university follows all applicable laws. “We have received the attached letter and will respond appropriately,” he said, according to the AP.The University of California San Diego said it is reviewing the notice. “UC San Diego is committed to fair practice in all of our programs and activities, including admissions, in accordance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws,” the university said in a statement.Stanford School of Medicine spokeswoman Cecilia Aradazza said the institution is also reviewing the letter. “Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law,” he said, according to the AP.
Background to Court Decisions and Policy Challenges
It is not clear why these three medical schools were selected for the investigation.A 2023 Supreme Court decision allows colleges to consider how race has affected an applicant’s life if it is discussed in personal essays. The Trump administration has expressed concerns that such articles and other factors could be used to indirectly consider race.Earlier this month, a group of 17 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s policy requiring colleges to collect data showing they don’t consider race in admissions. A federal judge in Massachusetts is currently reviewing a request to block the policy.
