Colleges cut ties with nonprofit as anti-DEI investigations heat up – The Times of India

Until recently, The PhD Project operated largely outside public discourse, quietly fostering diversity in business academia by supporting Black and Latino students in pursuing doctoral degrees. However, this initiative has now found itself at the center of a broader political storm. In January, conservative strategist Christopher Rufo ignited controversy over the program, drawing the attention of Republican lawmakers as reported by The Associated Press. The ensuing scrutiny has placed The PhD Project under the magnifying glass of the Trump administration’s aggressive campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education.

Federal investigation casts a wide net

The US Department of Education recently launched an investigation into dozens of universities over alleged racial discrimination, citing affiliations with The PhD Project. The department’s Office for Civil Rights issued letters to 45 institutions—spanning both public and private universities—warning that participation in race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships, or any aspect of student life could result in the loss of federal funding. Among the institutions facing scrutiny are Yale, Duke, Cornell, MIT, Ohio State, Arizona State, and the University of California, Berkeley.
For many institutions, the federal inquiry came as an unexpected blow, leaving administrators scrambling for answers. Some universities have begun distancing themselves from The PhD Project in an effort to mitigate potential consequences. The University of Kentucky severed ties with the initiative, while the University of Wyoming announced plans to discontinue its participation. Arizona State University also declared that it would no longer provide financial support or facilitate faculty attendance at the nonprofit’s conference.

Chilling effect on higher education

The broad nature of the investigations has intensified fears within academia, with many institutions treading cautiously to avoid punitive action. Legal experts argue that the investigations, coupled with the threat of funding cuts, have created a climate of fear, dissuading universities from openly defending DEI programs. The administration’s actions have precedent; Columbia University recently saw $400 million in federal funding revoked due to its handling of campus protests. This heavy-handed approach signals a willingness to use financial leverage to enforce ideological alignment.

Political pressure shapes institutional responses

The controversy surrounding The PhD Project is not isolated but reflects a broader political push against DEI efforts in education. Rufo’s influence has been particularly pronounced in Texas, where his social media posts earlier this year led to swift institutional withdrawals from the initiative. Texas A&M, for instance, faced public condemnation from Governor Greg Abbott, who warned that the university president would be removed if the institution did not sever ties with The PhD Project. In response, Texas A&M withdrew from the program, prompting a domino effect as other Texas universities followed suit.
Similar scrutiny is unfolding across the country. The University of Minnesota faces a separate investigation for allegedly operating a race-segregated student program, while six other universities are being probed for awarding race-based scholarships. At the University of California, Berkeley—a campus with a rich history of student activism—faculty members recently organized a demonstration decrying what they perceive as an attack on academic freedom. Addressing the crowd, Professor Ula Taylor of the African American Studies department declared, “This is a fight that can be summed up in five words: Academic freedom is under assault.”

The future of diversity initiatives in higher education

As universities navigate this fraught landscape, the fate of The PhD Project and similar diversity initiatives hangs in the balance. The federal crackdown has raised fundamental questions about the role of race-conscious policies in academia and the extent to which political forces can dictate institutional priorities.
Meanwhile, institutions remain caught between conflicting pressures: The threat of federal sanctions and the imperative to uphold commitments to diversity and inclusion. As the March 31 deadline for universities to submit details of their affiliations with The PhD Project looms, the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of this escalating battle over diversity in higher education.