Latest news with #affirmativeaction
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
White House freezes $108m in funds to Duke University over affirmative action
The Trump administration has frozen $108m in federal research funding to Duke University after the federal government announced this week that it was investigating allegations that the school engaged in racial discrimination in the form of affirmative action, according to a person familiar with the matter and media reports. The National Institutes of Health reportedly halted the funding to the private university in North Carolina, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. CNN and ABC News also reported the funding freeze. The development came as, earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education issued a joint letter to Duke, stating that it had been made aware of allegations of what it called racial preferences in Duke's 'hiring, student admissions, governance, patient care, and other operations'. Duke is the latest institution to have its federal funding held up as the government investigates allegations of antisemitism and policies that support greater diversity, equity and inclusion that the Trump administration alleges are unlawful. It follows other investigations by the administration into top-flight private universities, including the Ivy League's Harvard, Columbia and Cornell. Duke did not immediately comment on the reported funding freeze. In Monday's letter to Duke, the Trump administration states that it has been made aware of allegations that Duke University and Duke Health are engaged in practices that, 'if true, would violate Titles VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, and render Duke Health unfit for any further financial relationship with the federal government'. 'These practices allegedly include illegal and wrongful racial preferences and discriminatory activity in recruitment, student admissions, scholarships and financial aid, mentoring and enrichment programs, hiring, promotion, and more,' the letter from the government states. The letter does not provide any specific examples. 'Racism is a scourge when practiced by individuals, but it is especially corrosive when enshrined in the nation's most eminent and respected institutions,' the letter, signed by the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, and the education secretary, Linda McMahon, adds. The letter orders Duke to end any practices at its health system that give 'benefits or advantages' based on race. Saying Duke is unlikely to be capable of an 'honest and trustworthy review', the letter takes the unusual step of requesting a new merit and civil rights committee that would be approved by the government and authorized by the school's board of trustees. The panel would be tasked with identifying and ending any racial preferences. If problems remained after six months, the administration would pursue legal enforcement, the letter said. The education department separately opened an investigation into the Duke Law Journal on Monday over allegations that it gave advantages to prospective editors from underrepresented groups. The Trump administration has used federal research funding as leverage in its unprecedented effort to reshape universities that Trump has described as hotbeds of liberalism. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion It has presented a crisis for universities that rely on federal grants as a major source of revenue, spurring some to take on debt and find other ways to self-fund research. Duke University spent $1.5bn on research last year, with nearly 60% coming from federal sources, according to the university's website. Even before the latest funding freeze, Duke faced financial turmoil. Last week, university leaders said almost 600 employees had accepted voluntary buyouts but that layoffs would still be needed. Officials said they needed to reduce costs amid uncertainty around federal research funding and a hike to the university's federal endowment tax. The Trump administration has been ratcheting up pressure on universities in hopes of striking deals such as one that Columbia University signed last week. The Ivy League school agreed to pay a $200m settlement over three years to the federal government and make changes to admissions, hiring, student discipline and more in exchange for regaining access to federal funding, among other things. In exchange for Columbia's concessions, the White House will reinstate $400m in federal funding it had stripped from the university earlier this year over allegations that it allowed antisemitism to fester on campus. The Columbia deal was met with mixed reactions from students, faculty and alumni. The administration has described it as a template for other universities including Harvard, which has been in talks with the administration even as it battles the White House in court.
The Guardian
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
White House freezes $108m in funding to Duke University over allegations of racial discrimination
The Trump administration has frozen $108m in federal research funding to Duke University after the federal government announced this week that it was investigating allegations that the school engaged in racial discrimination in the form of affirmative action, according to a person familiar with the matter and media reports. The National Institutes of Health reportedly halted the funding to the private university in North Carolina, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. CNN and ABC News also reported the funding freeze. The development came as, earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education issued a joint letter to Duke, stating that it had been made aware of allegations of what it called racial preferences in Duke's 'hiring, student admissions, governance, patient care, and other operations'. Duke is the latest institution to have its federal funding held up as the government investigates allegations of antisemitism and policies that support greater diversity, equity and inclusion that the Trump administration alleges are unlawful. It follows other investigations by the administration into top-flight private universities, including the Ivy League's Harvard, Columbia and Cornell. Duke did not immediately comment on the reported funding freeze. In Monday's letter to Duke, the Trump administration states that it has been made aware of allegations that Duke University and Duke Health are engaged in practices that, 'if true, would violate Titles VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, and render Duke Health unfit for any further financial relationship with the federal government'. 'These practices allegedly include illegal and wrongful racial preferences and discriminatory activity in recruitment, student admissions, scholarships and financial aid, mentoring and enrichment programs, hiring, promotion, and more,' the letter from the government states. The letter does not provide any specific examples. 'Racism is a scourge when practiced by individuals, but it is especially corrosive when enshrined in the nation's most eminent and respected institutions,' the letter, signed by the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, and the education secretary, Linda McMahon, adds. The letter ordered Duke to end any practices at its health system that give 'benefits or advantages' based on race. Saying Duke is unlikely to be capable of an 'honest and trustworthy review', the letter takes the unusual step of requesting a new merit and civil rights committee that would be approved by the government and authorized by the school's board of trustees. The panel would be tasked with identifying and ending any racial preferences. If problems remained after six months, the administration would pursue legal enforcement, the letter said. The education department separately opened an investigation into the Duke Law Journal on Monday over allegations that it gave advantages to prospective editors from underrepresented groups. The Trump administration has used federal research funding as leverage in its unprecedented effort to reshape universities that Trump has described as hotbeds of liberalism. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion It has presented a crisis for universities that rely on federal grants as a major source of revenue, spurring some to take on debt and find other ways to self-fund research. Duke University spent $1.5bn on research last year, with nearly 60% coming from federal sources, according to the university's website. Even before the latest funding freeze, Duke faced financial turmoil. Last week, university leaders said almost 600 employees had accepted voluntary buyouts but that layoffs would still be needed. Officials said they needed to reduce costs amid uncertainty around federal research funding and a hike to the university's federal endowment tax. The Trump administration has been ratcheting up pressure on universities in hopes of striking deals such as one that Columbia University signed last week. The Ivy League school agreed to pay a $200m settlement over three years to the federal government and make changes to admissions, hiring, student discipline and more in exchange for regaining access to federal funding, among other things. In exchange for Columbia's concessions, the White House will reinstate $400m in federal funding it had stripped from the university earlier this year over allegations that it allowed antisemitism to fester on campus. The Columbia deal was met with mixed reactions from students, faculty and alumni. The administration has described it as a template for other universities including Harvard, which has been in talks with the administration even as it battles the White House in court.
Washington Post
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Trump administration freezes $108M at Duke amid inquiry into alleged racial preferences
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is freezing $108 million in research funding to Duke University as the federal government accuses the school of racial discrimination in the form of affirmative action, according to a person familiar with the matter. The National Institutes of Health halted the funding to the private university in North Carolina, said the person who spoke Wednesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Education Department sent a joint letter alleging racial preferences in Duke's hiring and admissions.
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Trump administration freezes $108M at Duke amid inquiry into alleged racial preferences
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is freezing $108 million in research funding to Duke University as the federal government accuses the school of racial discrimination in the form of affirmative action, according to a person familiar with the matter. The National Institutes of Health halted the funding to the private university in North Carolina, said the person who spoke Wednesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Education Department sent a joint letter alleging racial preferences in Duke's hiring and admissions. Duke is the latest institution to have its federal funding held up as the government investigates allegations of antisemitism and diversity, equity and inclusion policies the administration says are unlawful. It follows other probes including at Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell. Duke did not immediately comment. In Monday's letter to Duke, leaders of HHS and the Education Department accused the university of 'vile racism.' It alludes to allegations of racial preferences at Duke, its medical school and its health system that, if substantiated, would make Duke 'unfit for any further financial relationship with the federal government.' The letter accuses Duke of providing racial preferences in recruiting, admissions, scholarships, hiring and more. It refers to allegations of discrimination without offering specific examples. 'Racism is a scourge when practiced by individuals, but it is especially corrosive when enshrined in the nation's most eminent and respected institutions,' according to the letter, signed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Education Secretary Linda McMahon. It's part of a broader campaign to eradicate DEI practices the Trump administration describes as discrimination against white and Asian American people. In their letter, the agencies order Duke to end any practices at its health system that give 'benefits or advantages' based on race. Saying Duke is unlikely to be capable of an 'honest and trustworthy review,' the letter takes the unusual step of requesting a new Merit and Civil Rights Committee that would be approved by the government and authorized by the school's board of trustees. The panel would be tasked with identifying and ending any racial preferences. If problems remained after six months, the administration would pursue legal enforcement, the letter said. The Education Department separately opened an investigation into the Duke Law Journal on Monday over allegations that it gave advantages to prospective editors from underrepresented groups. The Trump administration has used federal research funding as leverage in its effort to reshape universities that President Donald Trump has described as hotbeds of liberalism. It has presented a crisis for universities that rely on federal grants as a major source of revenue, spurring some to take on debt and find other ways to self-fund research. Duke University spent $1.5 billion on research last year, with nearly 60% coming from federal sources, according to the university's website. Even before the latest funding freeze, Duke faced financial turmoil. Last week, university leaders said almost 600 employees had accepted voluntary buyouts but that layoffs would still be needed. Officials said they needed to reduce costs amid uncertainty around federal research funding and a hike to the university's federal endowment tax. The Trump administration has been ratcheting up pressure on universities in hopes of striking deals like one that Columbia University signed last week. The Ivy League school agreed to pay $200 million and make changes to admissions, hiring, student discipline and more in exchange for regaining access to federal funding. The administration has described it as a template for other universities including Harvard, which has been in talks with the administration even as it battles the White House in court. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Student Loan Defaults Threaten Federal Aid At 1,100 Colleges
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 29: People walk on the campus of the University of North Carolina ... More Chapel Hill on June 29, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admission policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution, bringing an end to affirmative action in higher education. (Photo by) New federal data suggests that over 1,100 colleges and universities are at risk of losing access to federal financial aid programs (such as Pell Grants and federal student loans) because too many of their former students are not repaying their student loans. This alarming statistic is known as the Cohort Default Rate (CDR). It tracks the number of students who are in default on their student loans three years after graduation. The Covid-era payment pause that lasted from March 2020 to October 2023 offered temporary relief to millions of borrowers, and in turn dropped the CDR to 0%. However, now that repayment has resumed, nonrepayment has become a serious problem - and the impact extends to the colleges as well. When the CDR is above 30 percent for three consecutive years, the school loses access to Title IV financial aid funds. If the CDR is above 40 percent in any single year, the school immediately loses access to Direct Student Loan funds. According to the latest data from the Department of Education, 1,113 colleges had nonrepayment rates above 30 percent in May 2025. And 388 of those colleges had rates above 40%. That's nearly 20 percent of the 5,736 colleges that the Department of Education tracks - meaning nearly one-fifth of colleges nationwide are at risk of losing federal financial aid dollars. This could have profound effects in access to higher education. What The Cohort Default Rate Measures A school's Cohort Default Rate (CDR) is calculated by dividing the number of borrowers who default on their student loans within three years by the total number of borrowers who entered repayment in that time. Default is defined as failing to make a payment for 360 days. If a college's CDR exceeds 30 percent for three years in a row, or exceeds 40 percent in a single year, the Department of Education can remove access to federal financial aid for its students. This matters because federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans, is the primary way millions of students pay for college. If a college is cut off for accessing federal financial aid programs, students may not be able to afford to attend, and the school could see enrollment and revenue collapse. In the past, only a small number of for-profit institutions triggered CDR penalties each year. But that may be about to change. Colleges can appeal a failing CDR, but the process is not automatic and does not guarantee relief. Even if aid is not immediately cut off, a high CDR is an embarrassing signal to students, families, and policymakers that an institution is not serving its graduates well. The premise is that if such a high percentage of students cannot afford to repay their student loans after graduation, the school is charging too much and/or not preparing its students for the workforce after graduation. Which Colleges Are At Risk? The Department's data are not final cohort default rates but rather a proxy using interim data: the percentage of borrowers who entered repayment after January 2020 and were either in default or more than 90 days delinquent as of May 2025. Nearly 400 institutions already exceed 40 percent in this measure, while hundreds more hover above 30 percent. And it's not just for-profit schools, there are many public colleges impacted as well: One example of a public college is Albany State University. Of the 11,200 borrowers who entered repayment since 2020, 32 percent are now in default or more than 90 days behind. Others include private colleges like Remington University in Texas, which had 14,900 borrowers enter repayment, and currently has a 43 percent default rate. This puts the college in immediate danger of losing federal aid unless the numbers improve significantly. Community colleges, regional public universities, and private institutions all appear on the list of schools with high nonpayment rates. The Department says it will release official CDRs next year, covering borrowers who entered repayment in 2023 and defaulted during 2023, 2024, or 2025. Why Is This Happening Now? The spike in nonpayment is not just a reflection of economic hardship. It also highlights the struggle to restart student loan repayment after a nearly five-year pause combined with all the confusion about the changes in student loan repayment. As of May 2025, only 38 percent of borrowers with Direct Loans or Department-held FFEL loans are current on their payments, according to Department estimates. Roughly one-quarter are already in default or late-stage delinquency. The Department resumed collections in May and plans to begin wage garnishment by the end of summer. In a 'Dear Colleague' letter sent in May, the Department urged colleges to take responsibility for improving repayment outcomes. Schools are being asked to contact all borrowers who left since 2020 to remind them of their obligations and direct them to repayment options on Colleges are also required to conduct entrance and exit counseling, disclose tuition and net price clearly, and report enrollment and student contact information accurately. These steps help ensure that borrowers know their responsibilities, can be contacted by their loan servicer, and avoid student loan default. The Department emphasized that institutions have a financial stake in the outcomes of their former students. If students default in large numbers, the schools could lose the aid dollars that allows them to operate. What Happens If Colleges Lose Access To Financial Aid Dollars? Under federal rules, the consequences for high default rates are clear: Even schools that stop offering federal student loans cannot escape penalties. Borrowers can enter repayment years later, and the CDR calculation continues as long as any former students from that school still hold federal loans. Appeals are allowed for colleges, and they may stop some short term penalties, but long term, if the colleges don't improve their student outcomes, they will lose access to these dollars. The net result is that colleges who don't improve the CDR of their borrowers risk losing federal aid dollars. Some colleges receive upwards of 90% of their revenue from Title IV funds - meaning if they are cut off from these sources, they'll have no choice but to close. What Happens Next? The return of repayment has exposed not just borrower struggles, but also structural problems at many institutions. High loan default rates often correlate with low graduation rates, low earnings, or high debt levels. These are signs that students may not be getting the value they expected from their education. Colleges that do not bring down their default rates risk more than just embarrassment, they may lose the main revenue source that keeps their doors open. And this can have profound effects for both existing students and graduates.
