Case Particulars

Tribunal

Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education

Date Filed

May 19, 2023

Docket No.

N/A

Case Status

Complaint filed; FOIA Response Received; University rescinded racially discriminatory requirement for program; Case Dismissed by OCR as Resolved

Case Overview

In 2023, University of Minnesota offered undergraduate students of color a paid summer research program — a research project connecting students with faculty mentors over the course of three summer months, which included “a series of seminar preparing students for graduate school and developing research skills.” The purpose of the Multicultural Summer Research Opportunities Program was “to prepare students of color and Native Americans for graduate school.” Participants in the program received a $6,000 stipend for personal and research expenses.

The university promoted the program exclusively for “undergrads of color,” mirroring the official eligibility guidelines requiring that applicants must, among other things, “identify as a Student of Color or Native American.”

Equal Protection Project (EPP) is the Complainant in this matter, which is under evaluation by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

UPDATE: After EPP filed its Complaint, igniting a media firestorm, the University of Minnesota changed the name of the program and no longer described it as a “Multicultural” program for “students of color.” The Eligibility Requirements also no longer require that a person identify as a student of color or Native American.

Following this, five U.S. Congressmen issued a strongly worded demand to DoE and OCR for a full investigation of the University of Minnesota.

On November 26, 2023, EPP received a letter from OCR dismissing the case as resolved after the University of Minnesota changed the program as described above.