Overview
- The Department of Justice announced a Title VI investigation on June 3 into ASU’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices, citing “recent viral videos” that suggest unequal treatment based on race, color or national origin.
- The Civil Rights Division said the probe will examine whether DEI policies affected admissions, recruitment, scholarships, tutoring or the provision of educational support.
- Accuracy in Media published undercover recordings of ASU staff that local reporters verified as coming from the group and counted seven videos, but the DOJ has not confirmed those recordings are the specific evidence that prompted the investigation.
- Arizona State University says it complies with federal law, denies discrimination, cites the Arizona Board of Regents and a 2010 state constitutional ban on race-based preferences, and declined to comment on secret recordings of employees.
- The probe comes during broader federal scrutiny of campus DEI programs, including Department of Education reviews of many colleges, and any investigation can take months with no implication of guilt until findings are announced.