The US Department of Justice on Monday has opened a compliance review at Harvard University to determine whether financial aid programs funded by Chinese-based sources actively discriminate against American students.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will investigate whether Harvard violated the law Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964which prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The department initiated the review after reviewing Harvard’s foreign funding disclosures.
Commenting on the DOJ review, Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, said:
“Schools cannot accept federal money and then accept money from foreign sources to provide financial aid that knowingly excludes American citizens“.
Harvard has disclosed nearly $4.5 billion in foreign funding, including more than $630 million from Chinese sources DOJ announcement. Section 117 of the Higher Education Act requires universities to report foreign gifts and contracts worth at least $250,000.
In his Resignation letter to HarvardThe DOJ alleged that some China-based donors restricted how the university could use its funds and required it to support financial aid programs that benefit students from certain countries. According to the department, Harvard appears to be following these restrictions by favoring foreign students based on their national origin and potentially discriminating against U.S. citizens and people of other national origins. The DOJ emphasized that it had not yet reached any conclusions about whether Harvard violated federal law.
The DOJ requested Documents and communications about what it described as “Chinese restricted funds,” including information about donor restrictions and Harvard’s management of the funds. The department also requested information about students who received assistance under the programs, including their country of origin, nationality, citizenship status, school enrolled, and level of financial aid. The DOJ ordered Harvard to respond by July 31.
Harvard speaker Jason A. Newton said the university meets disclosure requirements for foreign financing and “does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin in the awarding of financial aid.” Newton said Harvard will review the DOJ’s letter and engage with the government.
Liu Chang, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy said Education Cooperation between China and the USA benefits both countries and that political concerns should not disrupt normal educational and academic exchanges.
The study complements this The Trump administration broader disputes with Harvard about the university’s federal funding, admissions practices, and international student enrollment.
