In a tersely worded “Dear Colleague” letter dated February 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) signaled its intent to combat “pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences and other forms of racial discrimination” it claims have been embraced in by American educational institutions.| www.woodsrogers.com
On February 14, 2025, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, Craig Trainor, published a Dear Colleague letter that “explains and reiterates existing legal requirements” that apply to educational institutions regarding unlawful race-based discrimination. The letter also notes the Department’s intent to “take appropriate measures to assess compliance ... based on the understanding embodied in this letter beginning no later than 14 days from today...| www.reedsmith.com
The four-university network’s governing board asked for court permission to remove the eligibility requirements from over four dozen award programs.| Higher Ed Dive
The case marks a new step in the debate over race-conscious policies, with plaintiffs claiming the program discriminates against nonminority candidates.| Higher Ed Dive
The Trump appointee said the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to sue, though he left room for them to refile their complaint.| Higher Ed Dive
The lawsuit alleges that President Donald Trump's orders overstep his authority, use overly vague language and intend to chill speech he opposes.| Higher Ed Dive
PEN America Denounces Department of Education Letter That Would Ban Ideas About Race| PEN America
The recent opinion was unsurprising for college access advocates who had nonetheless urged the high court to keep with decades of precedent.| Higher Ed Dive
