Missoula, MT – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched investigations into 45 universities, including Montana State University, over claims that certain graduate programs are allegedly limiting eligibility based on race. The OCR asserts that these actions violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding.
The announcement came on Friday following the issuance of a Dear Colleague letter by OCR on February 14, 2025, which reminded universities of their civil rights obligations to end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes. The letter emphasizes that admissions and other academic decisions should be based on merit, not race.
The investigation centers around allegations that the universities are collaborating with “The Ph.D. Project,” an initiative designed to provide doctoral students with networking opportunities and insights into obtaining a Ph.D. The OCR claims, however, that the project’s eligibility criteria restrict participation based on race, which may be in violation of federal law.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stressed the Department’s commitment to ensuring that all students are protected from illegal discrimination. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment,” McMahon said in the press release.
The universities under investigation are accused of engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs. The full list includes major institutions such as Arizona State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Duke University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in addition to Montana State University in Bozeman.
Alongside the 45 universities being investigated for potential racial discrimination in graduate programs, OCR is also examining seven other institutions for allegedly awarding impermissible race-based scholarships and one for reportedly segregating students by race.
The investigation into these schools aligns with OCR’s broader efforts to enforce civil rights protections in higher education. According to the Department of Education, violations of Title VI could result in the loss of federal funding for the implicated universities.
Montana State University, when contacted by MTN News, issued a statement asserting that it strictly adheres to all federal and state laws in its hiring practices. While the university did not provide further details, it emphasized its commitment to cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
The results of these investigations could have significant implications for universities across the country, potentially reshaping how they approach race and diversity in their academic programs. As the OCR continues its review, it remains to be seen how these high-profile universities will respond to the scrutiny.
