UK under federal investigation concerning DEI program
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The University of Kentucky is one of more than 50 universities that are being investigated for “alleged racial discrimination.”
These investigations are part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end DEI programs.
Friday’s announcement comes one month after the Department of Education issued a memo warning universities they could lose federal money over “race-based preferences” in admissions, scholarships or any other aspect of student life.
In a statement sent to ABC 36, UK says “We are aware of the release this morning from the department of education office of civil rights. We have not received any official notification of this review so we cannot comment further. We will continue to monitor this issue moving forward.”
UK closed its DEI office last year in response to potential anti-DEI legislation, which passed in the 2025 legislative session in Kentucky.
According to the DOE, UK is being investigated for allegedly violating Title IV of the civil rights act by partnering with “The Ph.D. Project”.
“The Ph.D. Project’s” website says the organization “encourages and supports historically underrepresented candidates” to obtain doctorate degrees in business.
UK is the only Kentucky university being investigated, however according to “The Ph.D. Project’s website, the University of Louisville is also a partner.
We reached out to UK on its involvement in the project and the number of people involved, but have not heard back from them.
It’s unclear right now how this investigation would impact those who are currently taking part in the project.
In a release, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon says in part, “The department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination. The agency has already launched Title IV investigations into institutions where widespread anti-Semitic harassment has been reported…”
She adds that Friday’s announcement expands the department’s efforts to make sure universities are not discriminating against students based on their race and students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment.
