Attorney General Rokita starts inquiry into DEI at Notre Dame, cites civil rights laws
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said he's starting an inquiry into whether the University of Notre Dame's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies violate federal and state civil rights laws and the 'terms of the university's nonprofit status.'
Rokita's press release, sent on Thursday, May 15, indicates that it's only the start of an inquiry. His letter to announce the inquiry to the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, Notre Dame's president, is dated May 9.
Still, the press release points to the university's 2033 Strategic Framework and other materials, saying they 'suggest' that Notre Dame treats students, prospective students, faculty, staff, and job applicants differently based on race or ethnicity.
The university issued a written response to The Tribune, saying:
'Notre Dame is a premier Catholic research university, and as such, seeks to serve and reflect the broader Catholic Church, which is the world's most global, multicultural, and multilingual institution. We do not engage in unlawful discrimination in our hiring or admissions processes and look to attract the best and brightest to our campus.'
More: 'Root out DEI': Why red states are enlisting in Trump's war on 'woke'
Rokita, an elected state official, questions Notre Dame's efforts to increase 'underrepresented' student and faculty numbers and to track enrollment in classes taught by faculty who 'look like' underrepresented students.
Rokita also mentions 'multicultural recognition ceremonies' that, he said, pose 'serious questions' about whether the university is complying with civil rights laws. For that, he cites the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which struck down affirmative action in decisions about college admissions.
'Fairness demands that every individual be judged on their merits, not the color of their skin," Rokita is quoted in the release. "Notre Dame's DEI policies raise troubling questions about whether, in its pursuit of DEI goals, the university may be crossing the clear line that Indiana law draws against racial discrimination. I am seeking answers.'
Rokita gave Notre Dame a June 9 deadline to respond with information about its admission and hiring practices, including an explanation of what role race plays in recruiting and hiring people from 'underrepresented' groups.
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