Latest news with #Rokita
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana AG: Butler, DePauw universities' DEI policy may violate law, warrant legal action
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warned Butler University and DePauw University that he may take legal action that could complicate their nonprofit tax-exempt status if he finds their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies could violate state and federal law. In letters sent to the university presidents May 28, Rokita argued the institution's DEI-friendly policies could constitute racial discrimination and violate civil rights laws. Both Butler and DePauw still list DEI as priorities within their strategic plans. Rokita largely pointed to those goals and adjoining policies as the basis for his letters. In those plans, the universities say they seek to attract more diverse faculty and staff, provide improved support to those communities and build a campus promoting DEI principles. "Hoosiers are rightfully concerned that some education institutions treat students, faculty, staff and others differently based on race under the guise of DEI or other," Rokita said in a release. The colleges have until June 27 to respond to Rokita's letter with answers to his questions and requested data. Whether he takes further action, he said in a news release, depends on the colleges' responses and if they are following a "legal and moral commitment to racial equality." Several of Indiana's public universities have shuttered its DEI programs to comply with new state and federal anti-DEI mandates. So far, that includes Indiana University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University. Rokita also sent a similar May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law. Rokita said the university must respond with requested materials by June 9. Neither the Attorney General's Office nor the university have responded to IndyStar requests for an update. If a university doesn't comply, his letters threaten challenges to the institution's nonprofit status. However, the Internal Revenue Service, if it chooses, would still need to investigate and decide to revoke a school's tax-exempt status. President Donald Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard University's nonprofit status, which the university claims is illegal, if it does not conform to his demands. DePauw President Lori White has also previously been vocally supportive of such policies, which Rokita criticizes in his letter. In May 2023, White was one of 27 liberal arts college presidents to sign a letter stating they intend to continue prioritizing inclusive policies following the Supreme Court's decision to make race-conscious admissions illegal. "It seems DePauw University may have met that moment and the Court's decision with evasion, circumvention, and obstruction, rather than a good faith desire to respect the civil rights of students and faculty," Rokita's letter reads. In a statement sent to IndyStar, DePauw said "we uphold high ethical standards and do not engage in unlawful discrimination in our admissions and hiring practices." Butler did not immediately respond to an IndyStar request for comment. Rokita largely leans on the the U.S. Supreme Court's Students for Fair Admissions decision, which barred universities from enrolling students using affirmative action. Since taking office, Trump has stripped diversity practices and efforts out of the federal government, and his administration has begun focusing its anti-DEI efforts on higher education and the private sector. Gov. Mike Braun has done the same in Indiana. On his second full day in office, he signed an executive order to remove DEI initiatives and policies from state government, including closing the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity created by then-Gov. Holcomb in 2020. Braun also signed a bill into law May 6 to allow individuals to sue publicly funded schools or government entities for DEI policies and programs. Senate Enrolled Act 289 prohibits public institutions from taking actions based on an individual's "personal characteristic," such as race, religion, color and sex. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@ or message her on Signal at @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: AG Rokita says Butler, DePauw DEI policies may violate law
Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana AG: Butler, DePauw universities' DEI policy may violate law, warrant legal action
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warned Butler University and DePauw University that he may take legal action that could complicate their nonprofit tax-exempt status if he finds their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies could violate state and federal law. In letters sent to the university presidents May 28, Rokita argued the institution's DEI-friendly policies could constitute racial discrimination and violate civil rights laws. Both Butler and DePauw still list DEI as priorities within their strategic plans. Rokita largely pointed to those goals and adjoining policies as the basis for his letters. In those plans, the universities say they seek to attract more diverse faculty and staff, provide improved support to those communities and build a campus promoting DEI principles. "Hoosiers are rightfully concerned that some education institutions treat students, faculty, staff and others differently based on race under the guise of DEI or other," Rokita said in a release. The colleges have until June 27 to respond to Rokita's letter with answers to his questions and requested data. Whether he takes further action, he said in a news release, depends on the colleges' responses and if they are following a "legal and moral commitment to racial equality." Several of Indiana's public universities have shuttered its DEI programs to comply with new state and federal anti-DEI mandates. So far, that includes Indiana University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University. Rokita also sent a similar May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law. Rokita said the university must respond with requested materials by June 9. Neither the Attorney General's Office nor the university have responded to IndyStar requests for an update. If a university doesn't comply, his letters threaten challenges to the institution's nonprofit status. However, the Internal Revenue Service, if it chooses, would still need to investigate and decide to revoke a school's tax-exempt status. President Donald Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard University's nonprofit status, which the university claims is illegal, if it does not conform to his demands. DePauw President Lori White has also previously been vocally supportive of such policies, which Rokita criticizes in his letter. In May 2023, White was one of 27 liberal arts college presidents to sign a letter stating they intend to continue prioritizing inclusive policies following the Supreme Court's decision to make race-conscious admission illegal. "It seems DePauw University may have met that moment and the Court's decision with evasion, circumvention, and obstruction, rather than a good faith desire to respect the civil rights of students and faculty," Rokita's letter reads. Rokita largely leans on the the U.S. Supreme Court's Students for Fair Admissions decision, which barred universities from enrolling students using affirmative action. Since taking office, Trump has stripped diversity practices and efforts out of the federal government, and his administration has begun focusing its anti-DEI efforts on higher education and the private sector. Gov. Mike Braun has done the same in Indiana. On his second full day in office, he signed an executive order to remove DEI initiatives and policies from state government, including closing the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity created by then-Gov. Holcomb in 2020. Braun also signed a bill into law May 6 to allow individuals to sue publicly funded schools or government entities for DEI policies and programs. Senate Enrolled Act 289 prohibits public institutions from taking actions based on an individual's "personal characteristic," such as race, religion, color and sex. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana sues La Porte mobile home operator over ‘deplorable conditions' including discolored water
The Indiana Attorney General's office sued a Brooklyn, New York-based operator Thursday for 'deplorable conditions' at a La Porte mobile home community, according to a release. Residents at Deerfield Estates, 7701 US-35, filed complaints last year saying they had brown and yellow water, and were subject to prolonged shutoffs, a 29-day boil order, low pressure and flooding from water leaks. The lawsuit also alleges the landlord used a ratio utility billing system – which didn't calculate by usage – and billed residents for leaks they should have fixed. No one was on site for several months and the company encouraged them to message an online community Facebook page with maintenance issues. A message left for Nelson Communities, the operator, was not immediately returned. 'Hoosiers deserve safe and livable housing, plain and simple,' Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a release. 'The deplorable conditions at Deerfield Estates: dirty water, low pressure, extended shutoffs, and a lack of proper oversight are unacceptable.' Rokita's office is seeking financial restitution, civil penalties and lawyer's costs.
Indianapolis Star
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
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.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Attorney General Rokita targets Notre Dame for alleged DEI policies
Attorney General Todd Rokita is seeking information from the University of Notre Dame on diversity efforts. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued a letter on Thursday accusing the University of Notre Dame of potentially violating discrimination laws as well as jeopardizing its nonprofit status. This is the second time the university has come under fire this year regarding its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. In March, the U.S. Department of Education included Notre Dame among 50 universities targeted for allegedly using racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs, according to WSBT. In that investigation, the university could face losing federal funding if found in violation. At the time the university released a statement saying 'As always, The University of Notre Dame follows the law and in no way practices or condones discrimination. As a Catholic university, we are fully committed to defending the dignity of every human person and ensuring that every person can flourish.' Rokita's letter alleges that Notre Dame's 2023 Strategic Framework and public materials suggest discriminatory practices, including differential treatment based on race or ethnicity. In the letter, he also points to the universities' efforts to boost 'underrepresented' student and faculty members, track enrollment in courses taught by faculty who 'look like' underrepresented students, and host racially segregated 'multicultural recognition ceremonies' for graduates. He argues these practices breach Indiana's anti-discrimination laws and federal laws, specifically in light of the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard that imposed restrictions on race-based admissions. '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 said in the letter. The office requested detailed documentation and information including admissions and hiring practices, changes made to its practices following the Students for Fair Admissions decision, guidance it provides to faculty and admission staff on its DEI goals and an explanation on whether and how race plays a role in recruiting, hiring and enrollment. Rokita asked Notre Dame to respond by June 9. If the university does not respond, the office could take legal action against the university and jeopardize its nonprofit status.
