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The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an inquiry into the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at Arizona State University (ASU). This decision, announced on Wednesday, follows the emergence of viral videos that suggest the university may have engaged in discriminatory practices, denying students equal treatment based on race, color, or national origin.
The Department of Justice released a statement indicating that these alleged discriminatory actions at ASU were concealed in an attempt to avoid federal oversight, thereby triggering the need for a thorough investigation.
Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, emphasized the seriousness of the matter. “No student should be denied access to opportunities or resources because of race, color, or national origin,” she stated. “The United States is committed to keeping universities free of unlawful discrimination — especially when they try to hide illegal conduct to avoid oversight and compliance.”
Federal law mandates that institutions receiving federal funding must provide equal access to all students, irrespective of their race, color, or national origin. The investigation seeks to ensure that ASU adheres to these legal obligations.
In a related development, Tarteel Alimam, an alumnus of Arizona State University, addressed the media at a news conference held on the ASU Tempe Campus’s Alumni Lawn on May 2, 2024, in Tempe, Arizona. This gathering was part of a broader series of protests reflecting growing concerns over the university’s DEI practices. (Photo Credit: Megan Mendoza/The Republic)
ASU is one of the nation’s largest universities and is 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 division’s investigation will examine whether ASU subjects its students to illegal discrimination through its DEI policies in admissions, recruitment, scholarships, tutoring and the provision of educational support, according to the DOJ.
An ASU spokesperson told News Media the university “complies fully 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 since 2010 operated under a state constitutional provision that prohibits preferential treatment or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public education,” the spokesperson said.
A protester holds a sign 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’s press release regarding an investigation and of the ‘recent viral videos’ referred to in it,” they added. “The university has no comment on these videos, as ASU does not comment on secret video recordings of its employees who are not authorized to speak on behalf of the university.”
DOJ officials clarified the Civil Rights Division has not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigation.
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