Key points
- Greater transparency is essential to exposing “unlawful practices”: Trump
- Universities to expand their reporting into National Center for Education Statistics
- Details of enhanced requirements would follow at a later date: Memorandum says
ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Donald Trump has issued an order demanding that US universities supply enrollment data as evidence they are not considering an applicant’s race when awarding admission.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that affirmative action by universities on the basis of race was unlawful, but said that they could use statements about the racial experiences of candidates when deciding on places, AFP reported.
“Diversity statements”
“The persistent lack of available data — paired with the rampant use of ‘diversity statements’ and other overt and hidden racial proxies — continues to raise concerns about whether race is actually used in practice,” AFP cited Trump memorandum as saying.
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has waged a campaign against US universities, accusing them of being hotbeds of anti-conservative ideology.
He has also issued executive actions curtailing diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government, which had been intended to redress historic injustices.
He accused the so-called “DEI” policies of discriminating against white people.
“Greater transparency is essential to exposing unlawful practices and ultimately ridding society of shameful, dangerous racial hierarchies,” Trump wrote.
The order requires that universities expand their reporting into the National Center for Education Statistics to “provide adequate transparency into admissions.”
The details of the enhanced requirements would follow at a later date, the memorandum said.
Budget cuts
As part of his wider push to bring higher education to heel, Trump has wielded federal funds as a negotiating tool for universities that he says are too liberal, insisting that they submit to curriculum, enrollment and other changes.
The Republican’s administration has also decreased or placed holds on spending for university research as part of wider budget cuts since taking office in January, AFP reported.
Columbia University was the first to be targeted in Trump’s war against elite universities.
