NEWS GLEAMS | Federal Government Investigates UW for Alleged DEI Violations

On March 14, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent letters to 45 universities nationwide citing that they were being investigated for allegedly violating President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Among them were the University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU) in Eastern Washington. All of the organizations that received letters worked in partnership with The PhD Project, an organization that specifically helps African American, Hispanic American, and Native American professionals earn doctoral degrees in business.

The Trump administration alleges that the program harms white and Asian students and that the universities are "engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs." Refusal to comply with the administration's ban could result in a massive loss of federal funds.

Columbia University was also on the list of institutions that the federal government alleged may be violating its ban on DEI initiatives. Columbia has been at the forefront of the news after the federal government arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian organizer and U.S. green card holder, and revoked the student visa of another pro-Palestinian Columbia student from India.

The federal government also ordered $400 million in cuts to Columbia University, which accounts for 30% of the university's annual government contracts. The Trump administration expects the university to amend its admissions criteria and disciplinary policies before it may have a chance of receiving the funds again. Some legal scholars have suggested that the Trump administration's actions may be illegal.

The OCR's message regarding DEI compliance came just four days after it sent similar letters to 60 universities citing that they were under investigation for possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, because they allegedly committed "violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination."

UW was also on that list, alongside Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Eastern Washington University in Cheney, and Whitman College in Walla Walla.

The Associated Recreation Council (ARC), in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, is seeking instructors for a number of summer recreational programs for youth and adults.

The positions are available in parks and community centers throughout the Seattle area. Offerings in need of support include cooking, child care, dance, martial arts, summer camps, and outdoor environmental programs for youth.

Visit ARC's website for a full list of available job offerings.

CID Community Defense, a collaborative of community members in the Chinatown-International District (CID), will be hosting the second of two Know Your Rights trainings on March 27. The sessions are designed to help residents understand what to do should they see Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in their neighborhoods, as well as how to help themselves in case of conflict. Support should be available in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and English.

RSVP for the Know Your Rights session via Google Forms. It will take place May 27 at 6 p.m. at Uncle Bob's Place (417 8th Ave. S.) in the CID.

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