The administration of Donald Trump has opened investigations into how race is considered in admissions at three medical schools, increasing its scrutiny of higher education institutions.The United States Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that it has launched inquiries into possible discrimination at medical schools affiliated with Stanford University, Ohio State University and University of California San Diego.Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon announced the investigations on the social media platform X.
Focus on admissions data and records
The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to examine universities that it says are influenced by liberal policies. The administration has earlier focused on undergraduate admissions at selective colleges and asked institutions to provide data to show compliance with a 2023 ruling by the US Supreme Court that ended affirmative action in college admissions.In a letter sent to Ohio State University, Dhillon said the department is seeking records related to “the use or lack of use of race” in admissions decisions, the AssociatP reports. The department has also asked for applicant level data, including test scores, race and ethnicity information, and final admissions decisions.The request covers applicants from the incoming class that began in 2019. A separate document lists the detailed records required by the government, including any internal reviews of admissions trends based on race.
Universities respond
Ohio State spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said the university follows all applicable laws. “We’ve received the attached letter and will respond appropriately,” he said, according to AP.The University of California San Diego said it is reviewing the notice. “UC San Diego is committed to fair processes in all of our programs and activities, including admissions, consistent with federal and state anti discrimination laws,” the university said in a statement.A spokesperson for Stanford School of Medicine, Cecilia Arradaza, said the institution is also reviewing the letter. “Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law,” she said, according to AP.
Background on court ruling and policy challenge
It is not clear why these three medical schools were selected for investigation.The 2023 Supreme Court ruling allows colleges to consider how race has affected an applicant’s life if it is discussed in personal essays. The Trump administration has raised concerns that such essays and other factors may be used to indirectly consider race.Earlier this month, a group of 17 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against a Trump administration policy that requires colleges to submit data showing they do not consider race in admissions. A federal judge in Massachusetts is currently reviewing a request to block that policy.
