Justice Department opens investigation into UC’s ‘diversity’ hiring scheme
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the University of California (UC) for alleged Title VII discrimination violations in its hiring practices. The agency announced on Thursday that the Civil Rights Division is scrutinizing the university’s individual campuses for potential race- and sex-based discrimination in employment practices.
According to the Justice Department, the university’s “UC 2030 Capacity Plan” mandates its campuses to hire “diverse” faculty members to meet race- and sex-based employment quotas. This directive has raised concerns that the university may be in violation of federal law by measuring new hires based on their race and sex.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, emphasized that public employers are bound by federal laws that prohibit racial and other forms of employment discrimination.
The Justice Department’s Employment Litigation Section will investigate whether the University of California is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, sex, and other protected characteristics. The agency has written to the university, informing them of the investigation and expressing concerns about potential violations of Title VII.
In response to the investigation, UC has stated that it is committed to fair and lawful processes in all of its programs and activities, in accordance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. The university aims to foster a campus environment where everyone is welcomed and supported and will work in good faith with the Justice Department during the investigation.
The university’s UC 2030 Capacity Plan outlines a goal of becoming a national model as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution system. The plan includes strategies to diversify faculty and researchers through expanded graduate enrollment and outreach to institutions serving underrepresented students. However, the Justice Department has raised concerns that these initiatives may violate Title VII by operating as de facto employment quotas.
In March, UC removed diversity statements from its hiring practices following threats from President Donald Trump that schools could lose federal funding. The university’s provost, Katherine S. Newman, informed system leaders that diversity statements are no longer required for new applicants, citing concerns that the requirement could lead applicants to focus on aspects of their candidacy unrelated to their expertise.
While employees and applicants can still reference accomplishments related to diversity, equity, and inclusion on their own, stand-alone diversity statements are no longer permitted. The decision to eliminate diversity statements was made to ensure fair evaluation of applicants without potentially biased criteria.
The investigation into the University of California’s hiring practices underscores the ongoing efforts to address discrimination in employment and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals. Fox News will continue to monitor developments in this case as the investigation progresses.
