House Committee Reviews DEI and Foreign Donations in Universities

The House committee is currently assessing the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in the admission processes of medical schools and their impact on patient care standards. During this inquiry, lawmakers are questioning deans from prominent medical institutions regarding accusations that the University of California, Los Angeles, provided undue preference to Black and Hispanic applicants, as highlighted by the Justice Department.

In parallel, the Justice Department is scrutinizing Harvard University for potentially receiving foreign donations that may have unfairly prioritized students from China and other nations over American students. According to the department, Harvard’s reporting of foreign funding has raised alarms about whether certain donors placed nationality-based conditions on financial aid. This review aims to determine if such stipulations breach Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin by federally funded institutions.

“Every American student should have an equal opportunity to compete for college scholarships, grants, and other kinds of financial aid and benefits,” stated Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

The Justice Department has initiated another investigation into allegations that Chinese donors have influenced Harvard’s scholarship allocations in a manner that excludes American students. The department suggests that such restrictions, if adhered to, could unfairly disadvantage U.S. students.

This investigative review is ongoing and has not yet drawn any firm conclusions. Specific scholarships or donors involved have not been named, as the department continues its examination. Meanwhile, Harvard asserts that its practices align with federal civil rights standards, denying any unlawful discrimination in financial aid distributions based on race, ethnicity, or nationality.

The DOJ claims that Chinese donors have provided funds to Harvard specifically for aiding students from particular countries, which could potentially conflict with Title VI obligations. Federal laws mandate educational institutions to disclose foreign gifts and contracts exceeding $250,000. An audit revealed that Harvard reported nearly $4.5 billion in foreign gifts — with over $630 million from China, their primary foreign donor.

While Harvard offers need-based aid to international students, U.S. students are generally the main recipients of federal grants and assistance. The university’s private scholarships and employment funds often support students from abroad, although private contributions have been earmarked for specific national groups at times. An example includes a $15 million donation in 2014 by SOHO China co-founders Pan Shiyi and Zhang Xin for Chinese students. It’s unclear if this donation is under the department’s review.

The Justice Department’s inquiry represents another aspect of the Trump administration’s ongoing scrutiny of Harvard concerning antisemitism claims, admissions procedures, and its foreign student policies. A prior legal measure had halted the administration from withholding substantial research funding from Harvard amid related legal proceedings.