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The Department of Justice launched a compliance review Monday into the College of William & Mary, examining whether the Virginia public research institution’s scholarship offerings and student benefits programs contain unlawful race-conscious selection criteria. The Civil Rights Division’s action represents the latest in a series of Trump administration inquiries targeting educational institutions nationwide over admissions practices, financial aid distribution and campus diversity initiatives.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the DOJ would determine whether scholarships or student opportunities at William & Mary favor applicants based on race. She stated that allocating scholarships according to skin color violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination by race, color or national origin in federally funded programs.
The investigation centers on several named programs, including the W&M Scholars scholarship for undergraduates that prioritizes applicants demonstrating “interest in diverse people and perspectives,” the Martha L. Muguira Fellowship providing preference to Hispanic or Latino women graduate students, and the Holmes Scholars doctoral program described as serving “future education leaders of color.”
William & Mary’s law school operates the Lemon Legal Scholars Program offering up to five full scholarships exclusively to graduates of historically Black colleges and universities, along with the Reaching Back Scholarship providing preference to HBCU graduates or those contributing to institutional diversity. The DOJ requested institutional documents by September 8 but indicated willingness to pursue informal compliance before considering formal enforcement actions including potential federal funding termination.
William & Mary responded by reaffirming its commitment to nondiscriminatory environments and compliance with applicable law. The Civil Rights Division said it has reached no preliminary conclusions regarding the investigation’s subject matter.
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