The PhD Project, a program aimed at assisting Black and Latino students in pursuing business degrees, has recently come under intense scrutiny following social media posts by conservative strategist Christopher Rufo. In January, Rufo highlighted the program, drawing the attention of Republican politicians and subsequently placing the initiative at the center of a Trump administration campaign targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within higher education.
On the heels of this attention, the U.S. Education Department announced investigations into dozens of universities for alleged racial discrimination related to their ties with The PhD Project. This investigation followed a warning to schools indicating they could risk losing federal funding due to "race-based preferences" in various aspects of student life, including admissions and scholarships.
University leaders have expressed surprise and confusion over these investigations, as many institutions have hurried to dissociate themselves from The PhD Project, which has aimed to enhance diversity in the business sector and academia. Jonathan Fansmith, the senior vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education, remarked on the clear link between Rufo’s comments and the investigations affecting 45 institutions associated with the nonprofit.
Among the 45 colleges facing scrutiny are prominent public universities like Arizona State, Ohio State, and the University of California, Berkeley, as well as esteemed private institutions such as Yale, Cornell, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Education Department informed these universities that they were being investigated due to complaints alleging racial discrimination stemming from their affiliations with The PhD Project, with a deadline of March 31 for them to provide information regarding their relationship with the organization.
The PhD Project has stated its mission is to "create a broader talent pipeline" of business leaders and has recently opened its membership application to anyone who shares this vision. However, the response from university leadership has generally been limited and cautious, with many institutions choosing to cooperate with investigators without offering further comments.
Concerns loom regarding potential repercussions for colleges that may resist governmental pressures. The Trump administration has displayed a readiness to withhold federal funding over issues related to DEI, alleging antisemitism, and even broader diversity initiatives. For instance, Columbia University faced a $400 million reduction in federal funding due to its handling of pro-Palestinian protests, highlighting the precarious situation for universities that might challenge the administration.
In response to the ongoing investigations, certain colleges have rapidly moved to sever ties with The PhD Project. The University of Kentucky announced it officially cut its relationship with the nonprofit, while the University of Wyoming stated it would discontinue its membership despite previous affiliations aimed at enhancing its graduate student pipeline. Arizona State University publicly declared it would refrain from financial support for The PhD Project this year, indicating a shift in its stance.
Similar controversies unfolded in Texas after Rufo's comments about the PhD Project. Texas A&M University withdrew from a DEI conference after being criticized by Governor Greg Abbott, leading to subsequent withdrawals from at least eight other Texas public universities that had previously engaged with The PhD Project.
Some institutions, such as Montana State University, have questioned the origin of the complaints that sparked investigations. They expressed surprise at receiving notices and asserted their compliance with state and federal laws regarding The PhD Project. Additionally, six other colleges are under investigation for offering "impermissible race-based scholarships," with the University of Minnesota facing scrutiny for running a program allegedly designed to segregate students along racial lines.
A rally at the University of California, Berkeley, organized by faculty in response to federal actions demonstrated the ongoing concern regarding academic freedom. Ula Taylor, a professor of African American studies, encapsulated the gathering's sentiment, stating, "Academic freedom is under assault." Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons echoed this sentiment in a campus email, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and the university's commitment to upholding its core values amidst the investigations.
