DOJ launches civil rights investigation into Arizona State University DEI
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The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division announced Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at Arizona State University (ASU) after detecting recent viral videos showing the school denying equal treatment to students based on race, color, or national origin.
In a statement released by the Justice Department, officials launched the investigation, claiming the discrimination occurred as the university sought to hide its practices from federal scrutiny.
“No student should be denied access to opportunities or resources because of their race, color, or national origin,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The United States is committed to keeping universities free from unlawful discrimination, especially when universities seek to conceal illegal behavior to avoid oversight and compliance.”
Arizona State University graduate Tarteel Alimam speaks as students gather in the Alumni Garden on the ASU Tempe Campus during a news conference about protests on campus on May 2, 2024 in Tempe, Ariz. (Megan Mendoza/Republic)
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Federal law requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to open their doors to students on an equal basis regardless of race, color or national origin.
ASU is one of the nation’s largest universities and a major recipient of federal funds.
Students gather for a pro-Palestinian protest at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, on April 26, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Liliana Salgado/Reuters)
The department’s investigation will examine whether ASU unlawfully discriminated against its students through DEI policies in admissions, hiring, scholarships, tutoring and the provision of educational support, according to the Department of Justice.
An ASU spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the university “fully complies with federal law and does not discriminate in admissions.”
“Not only would doing so violate Arizona Board of Regents and ASU policy, but ASU has operated under a state constitutional provision since 2010 that prohibits preferential treatment or discrimination based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public education,” the spokesperson said. he said.
A protester holds a banner during a pro-Palestinian protest at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, on April 26, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Liliana Salgado/Reuters)
“ASU is aware of the Department of Justice press release regarding an investigation and the ‘recent viral videos’ referenced therein,” they added. “ASU does not comment on confidential video recordings by employees who are not authorized to speak on behalf of the university, and the university has no comment regarding these videos.”
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DOJ officials announced that the Civil Rights Division did not reach any conclusions about the subject of the investigation.
