The Trump administration’s Department of Education is taking serious action against race-based discrimination on college campuses.
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched investigations into 45 universities across the country – including UNLV in Nevada – scrutinizing their admissions, scholarships, and programs for violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
That means Uncle Sam is looking into whether these schools have been discriminating against students based on race. And it’s about time.
Among the universities under the microscope are some of the biggest names in higher education, from MIT to Duke to the University of Michigan.
Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any institution that takes federal money. That means almost every major university in the country, including UNLV.
The investigations target three main areas: graduate program preferences, race-based scholarships, and outright segregation in academic programs.
One key target of the probe is “The Ph.D. Project,” a program meant to help minority students earn doctoral degrees.
While that might sound noble, the problem is it allegedly excludes students based on race. That’s a clear violation of federal law.
Another focus is race-based scholarships.
The OCR is looking at six schools for giving financial aid based on skin color instead of merit or need.
That practice was already on thin ice after the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which struck down affirmative action in admissions.
Perhaps the most shocking case involves the University of Tulsa School of Medicine, which is being investigated for allegedly separating students by race in certain programs.
Segregation in 2025? Sounds like we’re moving backward, not forward.
The Trump administration is leading the charge against race-based discrimination. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has made it clear: schools need to follow the law or face consequences.
“This is about ensuring every student is treated fairly, regardless of race,” McMahon said. “Discrimination in any form has no place in our education system.”
The crackdown aligns with an executive order signed by President Trump on Inauguration Day 2025, which targeted DEI programs in the federal government.
Universities that continue using racial preferences could lose federal funding or even face legal action from the Department of Justice.
Of course, not everyone is cheering.
Supporters of DEI programs argue that race-based scholarships and admissions help level the playing field for historically marginalized groups.
They claim these programs promote diversity and prepare students for a multicultural workforce.
But opponents see things differently. They argue that racial preferences—no matter how well-intended—are still discrimination.
Conservatives have long pushed for a merit-based system where students are judged by their achievements, not their skin color.
Legal experts predict that universities will scramble to revise their policies to avoid legal trouble. Some schools might end their race-based programs quietly, while others may dig in for a fight.
So, what does this mean for Nevada?
Any school taking federal money needs to ensure its policies comply with Title VI. That means getting rid of race-based scholarships and making sure admissions and hiring are truly merit-based.
For years, Nevada’s universities have followed the national trend of prioritizing diversity over equality.
But with federal investigators on the hunt, it may be time for institutions like UNLV to rethink their approach before Washington comes knocking.
The days of race-based preferences in higher education may be coming to an end. Good.
The Trump administration’s shift in policy, combined with legal pressure from the Supreme Court, is sending a clear message: Discrimination is discrimination, no matter who it targets.
For students and parents who have long believed in a fair system based on merit, this is a step in the right direction. For universities, it’s a wake-up call: Play by the rules or pay the price.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
