The Trump Justice Department has opened a civil rights review into William & Mary over scholarships and student programs that federal officials say may provide benefits based on race.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division announced on Aug. 17 that it is examining whether several William & Mary programs violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by recipients of federal funding.
“Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal and offends the guarantees of our color-blind Constitution,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said.
“The Department will not turn a blind eye to race-based preferences, however they are packaged or portrayed by universities,” she added.
Among the programs under scrutiny is the W&M Scholars program, which awards scholarships covering at least the full cost of in-state tuition and fees.
William & Mary says applicants receive “top consideration” in three areas, including an “interest in diverse people & perspectives.” The university describes that factor as demonstrated experience “bridging differences and embracing diverse people and perspectives.”
The DOJ is also examining programs within William & Mary’s School of Education.
The department says the Holmes Scholars Program provides “future education leaders of color” with mentorship, access to job fairs and employment announcements, professional development, advocacy training, and opportunities to present research.
The School of Education also offers the Martha L. Muguira Fellowship, which the DOJ says gives a “preference” to Hispanic or Latino women.
William & Mary Law School is also facing scrutiny over two scholarship programs.
Its Lemon Legal Scholars Program offers at least five full scholarships covering tuition and fees to admitted graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
HBCU graduates are automatically considered for the scholarships and can receive networking opportunities, one-on-one academic advising, and access to special events with faculty, administrators, and alumni.
The Justice Department said those scholarships “appear exclusively earmarked for HBCU graduates.”
DOJ is also reviewing the law school’s “Reaching Back Scholarship,” which it says gives preference to HBCU graduates or applicants “who contribute to the diversity” of the law school.
The review stems from a letter Dhillon sent to William & Mary’s general counsel. The compliance review remains ongoing.
“Providing any educational benefits, including recruitment, scholarships, and support services, based on race violates the civil rights of all Americans,” Dhillon wrote.
Campus Reform contacted William & Mary for comment on the DOJ review and whether the university plans to modify any of the programs identified by federal officials. This article will be updated accordingly.
