Utah University Ends Link With Diversity Group Over Racial Rules

The University of Utah has severed its partnership with The Ph. D. Project, a nonprofit that assists underrepresented students in pursuing business doctorates.

Why the Cut?

• Department of Education investigation: The agency examined 45 schools for alleged racial preferences in their programs.
• Potential Title VI violation: Utah and others may have breached the Civil Rights Act by working with an organization that limits participation by race.
• The Ph. D. Project’s claim: The nonprofit promotes diversity in business schools.
• Department’s counterclaim: It restricts enrollment based on race, possibly violating federal law.

Wider Impact

• 31 universities already ended ties with the group following last week’s announcement.
• Each institution pledged to review other external partnerships for potential race‑based restrictions.
• The decision aligns with a new state law that curtailed many diversity and inclusion programs on campus, prompting Utah to close identity‑based centers, reassign staff, and open student services to all.
• Other major schools—Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Yale, and several others—have also cut ties after the investigation began.
• Many institutions acted swiftly to avoid legal and financial repercussions.

Context

The move reflects a broader federal push against what the Trump administration describes as “diversity, equity and inclusion” practices. The stated goal is to base admissions and other decisions solely on merit.