Investigation into Duke University and Law Journal
The Trump administration revealed on Monday that it is looking into Duke University and the Duke Law Journal over accusations of racially-driven discrimination in their member selection process.
Concerns have also been raised by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding issues related to racism in admissions and scholarship practices at universities.
The departments are urging Duke to re-evaluate and modify these policies, implement “necessary” personnel changes, and assure the government that it adheres to new standards moving forward.
Additionally, the letter suggests the establishment of a “Mei and Civil Rights Commission,” which would derive its authority from the university’s board of trustees to facilitate an agreement with the Trump administration aimed at addressing reported civil rights violations.
Reports indicate that applicants to the Duke Law Journal can earn extra points by discussing their experiences as part of underrepresented groups. The department noted that the journal allegedly selected candidates who had been instructed not to disclose this enhanced grading system by submitting additional criteria.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressed confidence in collaborating with Secretary Kennedy to ensure Duke maintains excellence, integrity, and legality while preparing future leaders. She stated, “If Duke is providing illegal preferential treatment in law journal or medical school admissions based on students’ immutable characteristics, it is failing not only to comply with civil rights law but also the fundamental tenets of academic excellence.”
She further emphasized, “Discriminatory practices that violate the Constitution, the Anti-Discrimination Act, and Supreme Court rulings are becoming too prevalent in our educational institutions. The Trump administration will not tolerate this.”
Oka reached out to Duke University for a response.
This investigation follows a similar inquiry into Harvard’s admissions processes concerning alleged racial discrimination.
