UNO being investigated by Trump's Ed Department for ‘race-exclusionary practices'
Students walk on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in September 2024. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska at Omaha is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for 'race-exclusionary practices' in its graduate programs, the agency announced Friday.
The Education Department memo accuses 44 other universities of 'race-exclusionary practices.' Seven other colleges and universities are being investigated for 'alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation.'
Friday's announcement comes after last month's department memo said schools and universities could lose federal funding over 'race-based preferences' in admissions, scholarships or other areas of student life.
The federal agency alleges that UNO and 44 other universities violated Title VI by partnering with the Ph.D. Project because the non-profit 'limits eligibility based on the race of participants.'
'Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,' Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the statement. 'We will not yield on this commitment.'
The Trump Administration has prioritized ending several diversity, equity, and inclusion programs with executive orders. Republican-led states have passed laws banning DEI initiatives in higher education.
Nebraska State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City has proposed legislation banning Nebraska colleges from having DEI offices or programs. Legislative Bill 552 has a hearing in the Education Committee next week.
The University of Nebraska system has dealt with controversy around DEI in previous years, including criticism from Gov. Jim Pillen, a former NU regent, and multiple state senators.
While the Education Department's memo from last month is being challenged in federal lawsuits for being too vague and violating the free speech rights of educators, colleges around the country have already closed diversity offices in compliance, including UNO.
UNO closed it's diversity office last month and also eliminated two staff positions. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion in August, the Daily Nebraskan reported.
UNO officials told the Examiner they would have a statement soon.
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