University of North Dakota among colleges named in federal racial discrimination probe

GRAND FORKS – The University of North Dakota is among 45 colleges at the center of a U.S. Department of Education probe for allegedly “engaging in race-exclusionary practices” in their graduate programs.

The department’s Office of Civil Rights announced the investigation, which encompasses the flagship universities of nearly two dozen states as well as elite institutions like MIT and Yale, in a Friday press release.

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” read a statement attributed to Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “We will not yield on this commitment.”

The investigation alleges that UND and other colleges violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for partnering with The PhD Project, a nonprofit focused on helping underrepresented groups obtain business degrees.

UND spokesperson Meloney Linder confirmed the university received notice of the investigation from the Education Department on Thursday.

“We are currently working with OCR to address the complaints, but beyond that we have no comment,” Linder said.

The Office of General Counsel, which handles legal matters for UND and reports to the North Dakota Attorney General, is making contact with the Education Department to get more information, Linder said.

The investigation is the latest in a series launched by the Trump administration against U.S. colleges and universities focused on hot-button social issues.

The Education Department is also investigating 60 colleges and universities for allegedly permitting antisemitism during anti-Israel protests that broke out across campuses after the onset of the Israel-Hamas War in October 2023.

It’s also investigating two universities and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for permitting transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.

UND is not named in either of those investigations.

Joshua Irvine covers K-12 and higher education for the Grand Forks Herald. He can be reached at jirvine@gfherald.com.