Federal Action Prompts Colleges to Reassess External Partnerships

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that it has secured agreements with 31 colleges and universities to end their partnerships with The Ph.D. Project, a nonprofit focused on diversifying business and education faculty. OCR alleges the organization's programs provide race-based preferences in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The agreements follow investigations launched several months ago into 45 higher education institutions collaborating with the Ph.D. Project. OCR concluded that such partnerships could constitute discrimination under federal law. The 31 institutions involved have either already ended their relationships or agreed to do so, and each has committed to reviewing other external partnerships to identify any that may raise similar concerns.

One institution, the University of Kentucky, recently disclosed that in responding to OCR it reviewed partnerships with roughly 1,600 external organizations – including many associations – and flagged approximately 1,200 for further evaluation or potential termination. OCR is currently reviewing that response.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon characterized the agreements as part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with federal law and reaffirm equal opportunity standards across campuses.

"This is the 'Trump effect' in action: institutions of higher education are agreeing to cut ties with discriminatory organizations, recommitting themselves to abiding by federal law and restoring equality of opportunity on campuses across the nation," McMahon said in defense of the actions undertaken by the OCR.

OCR continues to negotiate with the remaining 14 institutions under investigation; further developments are possible.

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is monitoring the situation closely. If your organization has experienced changes in relationships with affected colleges or universities, we encourage you to share that information with ASAE’s public policy team.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.