Students share thoughts on KU’s inclusion in federal investigation as Trump pushes to end DEI

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Friday, The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) opened investigations into more than 50 universities for alleged ‘race-exclusionary practices’, and The University of Kansas is on that list.

Since taking office, the Trump istration has worked to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The investigation is looking into allegations that the universities and colleges violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by working with ‘The Ph.D. Project,’ a nonprofit that works with underrepresented groups to expand the business workplace pool.

A letter was sent out last month to American schools warning they could lose federal funding if they are using ‘race-based preferences’ in issions, scholarships, or any aspect of student life.

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment,”

• U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon

KCTV5 spoke with some students at KU on Friday to hear what they think.

“Why are they really choosing for us what should be happening at the University?” said KU junior Christian Cox when talking about his initial reaction to this investigation.

READ MORE: More than 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump’s anti-DEI campaign

Some students shared they don’t pay a whole lot of attention to DEI, but are aware of how it works in the school system.

“I’ve noticed that in every single syllabus during syllabus week we always talk about DEI and how important it is to make sure that everyone is being like included and there is no discrimination,” said KU freshman Maggie Chattin.

“There is a huge presence of minorities in every regard regardless of color, like gender sexuality and I just think that is a great thing, and for the Trump istration to try and remove that it is really terrible,” said KU sophomore Xavion Smith.

Many students were surprised to hear federal funding could disappear because of this.

“That is the stupidest thing that I’ve ever heard I don’t think that we should be taking something away that is so important to everyone no matter who you are,” said Chattin.

The Trump istration argues that DEI programs exclude White and Asian American students.

“I just don’t think the DEI is making white people less of a person because they are white, it is not that deep,” said Chattin.

“There has been discrimination in the past and it is still ongoing and I think it is a tool to really stop that,” said Cox. He added, “It is not something that affects me because it is not meant for me.”

Cox said DEI can be a good or bad thing, it depends on how it is carried out. He and others feel it is appropriately done at KU.

“If it is being specifically targeted to give different races unfair advantages I think it is bad, but I think that is not really the normal use case for it I think usually it is used to bring other races up to a level with everyone else,” said Cox.

These students feel KU is inclusive and want it to stay that way.

“I want them to stand up and fight to keep the DEI,” said Chattin.

If funding disappears, it could mean students lose scholarships.

“That is ridiculous that that could even happen to people,” said Smith.

In a statement to KCTV5, a KU spokesperson shared:

“We are working to learn more about this investigation. As Chancellor Girod shared last month following the “Dear Colleague” letter, KU’s leadership team has been assessing all university activity as called for in the letter.”

The PhD Project also shared a statement:

“For the last 30 years, The PhD Project has worked to expand the pool of workplace talent by developing business school faculty who inspire, mentor, and tomorrow’s leaders. Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other, through networking, mentorship, and unique events. This year, we have opened our hip application to anyone who shares that vision. The PhD Project was founded with the goal of providing more role models in the front of business classrooms, which remains our goal today.”

There is no official timeline for how long these investigations will last.

Six other colleges are being investigated for giving out “impermissible race-based scholarships,” and another is accused of having a program that segregates students based on race.

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