Latest news with #Ph.DProject
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal immigration authorities revoke 4 UNLV international students' visas
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Four international students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas had their visas revoked by federal immigration authorities, the university announced Friday evening. Officer in Charge Chris Heavey made the announcement in an email to the campus community stating, 'We have learned that four of our international students have had their visas revoked by federal immigration authorities. We will not identify the students in accordance with federal privacy laws.' Heavey acknowledged that the news may be difficult for some on campus and that similar instances have affected several universities and colleges across the country. Heavey went on to say that the university was 'prepared for this possibility.' The university has offered support and guidance to students including helping those in need to fulfill the requirements necessary to complete their spring semester. Heavey's statement read in full: We have learned that four of our international students have had their visas revoked by federal immigration authorities. We will not identify the students in accordance with federal privacy laws. We recognize that this news may be difficult for some. Unfortunately, similar circumstances are affecting many universities and colleges across the country, and so we were prepared for this possibility. We are offering support and guidance to the students during this difficult time, including helping those in need to fulfill requirements necessary to complete their spring semester. UNLV remains steadfast in our commitment to helping all of our students achieve their academic goals, and we will approach any similar future situations with the same mindset and support. Finally, we are grateful the university has immigration resources for those in need. For example, the UNLV Immigration Clinic's University Legal Services program, part of the Boyd School of Law, offers free immigration legal services, including DACA assistance, to current students, faculty and staff, and their families. The clinic also helps students and others navigate immigration laws and processes. The University Police Department has created a Q and A document as a helpful resource to understand rights and responsibilities related to federal immigration. If anyone is in need of support services following this news, we urge you to please utilize our mental health and wellness resources, or talk to a friend or colleague. We are here for one another. Officer in Charge Chris Heavey In March the the Education Department announced it is investigating more than 50 colleges — including UNLV — over what it called 'racial preferences' in academics or scholarships, a move that comes amid the Trump administration's wider crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The department said 45 schools were under investigation for partnering with the Ph.D Project, which it says is 'an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.' Three former UNLV professors — including one who died in the fatal on-campus shooting on Dec. 6, 2023 — participated in the program. UNLV, in a statement, acknowledged its professors' involvement in the Ph.D project. Slain UNLV professor part of program under federal DEI probe 'UNLV is aware of the federal investigation,' the statement said. 'Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project. Navarro Velez, one of the professors cited in UNLV's statement about the federal investigation, died in the December 2023 shooting on UNLV's campus in which three faculty members died. Known as 'Pat,' Navarro Velez was a beloved member of the UNLV accounting and Lee Business School community and family, Dr. Jason Smith, Department of Accounting chair and professor at Lee Business School said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slain UNLV professor part of program under federal DEI probe
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Three former UNLV professors — including one who died in the fatal on-campus shooting on Dec. 6, 2023 — participated in a program known as the Ph.D Project, which appears to have gotten the attention of the U.S. government and landed the university in the middle of a federal investigation, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Friday, the Education Department announced it is investigating more than 50 colleges — including UNLV — over what it called 'racial preferences' in academics or scholarships, a move that comes amid the Trump administration's wider crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The department said 45 schools are under investigation for partnering with the Ph.D Project, which it says is 'an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.' UNLV, in a statement, acknowledged its professors' involvement in the Ph.D project. 'UNLV is aware of the federal investigation,' the statement said. 'Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project. 'Two of them are no longer with UNLV. The third person was Patricia Navarro Velez, a beloved professor who was tragically killed on our campus by a gunman on Dec. 6, 2023.' Word of the investigation comes just days after UNLV's president, Keith Whitfield, abruptly resigned, citing a need to focus on his family. 'These commitments will require more of my time and energy and prevent me from being your president,' he said in his statement to the university community on March 3. The next day, 8 News Now reported that the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents showed, in recent meetings, a growing frustration with Whitfield. NSHE, in a statement Friday, also responded to news of the federal investigation into UNLV and other colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, large state schools and smaller colleges. 'We are working to understand the scope of the investigation and how to best support our institution in addressing any concerns,' the statement said. 'NSHE remains committed to fostering vibrant campus communities that support the success of our students, faculty, and researchers. We will continue to support our institutions in navigating federal requirements while advancing their missions in service to Nevada.' Patricia Navarro Velez, one of the professors cited in UNLV's statement about the federal investigation, died in the December 2023 shooting on UNLV's campus in which three faculty members died. Known as 'Pat,' Navarro Velez was a beloved member of the UNLV accounting and Lee Business School community and family, Dr. Jason Smith, Department of Accounting chair and professor at Lee Business School said. 'She had a larger-than-life personality and an infectious smile, and a genuine kindness that made everyone around her feel like family,' Dr. Smith said. Effective March 4, UNLV Executive Vice President and Provost Christopher L. Heavey, Ph.D., will take the role of Officer in Charge, according to a post on the UNLV website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
14-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Education Department investigating dozens of universities after DEI warning letter
The Education Department announced Friday it is investigating more than 50 colleges and universities over what it called 'racial preferences' in academics or scholarships, a move that comes amid the Trump administration's wider crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The department said 45 schools are under investigation for partnering with the Ph.D Project, which it says is 'an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.' Seven more schools are under investigation for 'alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation.' The list includes Ivy League schools, state universities and smaller institutions of higher education. Among those investigated are Yale University, the University of Kentucky, Ithaca College, the University of Alabama, the University of Chicago, the University of South Florida and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights is accusing the institutions of violating Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race in education. The investigations come after the department sent a Dear Colleague letter on Feb. 14 telling universities to get rid of DEI. The letter said schools found not in compliance will receive funding cuts. 'The Department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation's educational institutions. The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent,' the letter said. The administration has made clear that colleges and universities will be prime targets during President Trump's second term.
