Overview: California State University, San Bernardino is one of 51 universities under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs. The investigation is part of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that directs the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education. The CSU has acknowledged the investigation and stated that the university will cooperate with the investigation and comply with federal and state laws.
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California State University, San Bernardino has been named as one of 51 universities under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education as the Trump administration works to dismantle the department.
On March 20, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that directed the Secretary of Education “to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”
According to the investigation launched by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), allegations have been made against CSUSB and other universities for violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by partnering with “The Ph.D. Project.” The Ph.D. Project is an initiative that started in 1994 with the goal of supporting students from “underrepresented groups” who are earning doctoral degrees in business and other backgrounds.
“The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination…today’s announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.
Other California universities that are now under investigation for “allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs include” Cal Poly Humboldt and University of California-Berkeley.
A statement through the California State University, sent via email from Alan Llavore, senior media relations specialist at CSUSB acknowledged the investigation and stated that the CSU will review and seek to understand the alleged claims.
“We plan to cooperate with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights in any investigation. The CSU continues to comply with longstanding applicable federal and state laws and CSU policies and does not discriminate or provide preferences on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin,” according to the statement.
Prior to the investigation, Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor sent the same universities a “Dear Colleague Letter,” demanding they cease using “racial preferences and stereotypes” as factors in admissions.
“In recent years, American educational institutions have discriminated against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-income families,” Trainor stated in the letter. “These institutions’ embrace of pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences and other forms of racial discrimination have emanated throughout every facet of academia.
Since the release of the letter and executive orders demanding the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practice, some universities associated with the PhD Project have cut ties. The University of Iowa withdrew from its partnership with the PhD Project following several directives from the Board of Regents that prohibits DEI. On March 19, the University of Kentucky released a statement and formally notified the PhD Project that the university is “canceling any contractual relationship that exists between our institution and this organization.”
Although the PhD Project is losing some partnerships, the company’s CEO, Alfonzo Alexander, stated in an Poets&Quants interview: “We believe in what we do. We believe in the power of education, representation, and mentorship. And we’re not backing down.”