University of Utah cuts ties with organization that promotes diversity in business education

SALT LAKE CITY — After facing scrutiny from the Trump administration, the University of Utah is among 31 colleges and universities severing ties with a nonprofit dedicated to increasing racial diversity in doctoral-level business school programs.

Last March, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights announced it was investigating 45 American universities — including the University of Utah — for allegedly using "racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities."

At the time, the Department of Education said the investigation was prompted by allegations that Utah's flagship higher education institution and 44 other schools "have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by partnering with 'The Ph.D. Project' — an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants," according to a Department of Education release.

The Ph.D. Project is a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world, according to The Associated Press.

Department of Education officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are "engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs."

Last week, the department's Office for Civil Rights announced 31 universities had either already terminated their relationship with The Ph.D. Project — or have agreed via resolution agreements to end their memberships or partnerships.

Each institution, added the Department of Education release, also agreed to conduct a review of their partnerships with external organizations to identify any that violate Title VI by restricting participation based on race.

"This is the Trump effect in action: Institutions of higher education are agreeing to cut ties with discriminatory organizations, recommitting themselves to abiding by federal law, and restoring equality of opportunity on campuses across the nation," said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in the release.

"We are hopeful that other institutions with similarly discriminatory practices will follow suit, paving the way for a future where we reject judging individuals by the color of their skin and once again embrace the principles of merit, excellence, and opportunity."

University of Utah settles with Civil Rights office

In a University of Utah statement, the school reported settling with the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights last year.

The university had tabled at The Ph.D. Project's Annual Conference University Fair during the 2024-2025 academic year — and also in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The annual fee was $5,000.

University of Utah officials notified The Ph.D. Project that the membership/partnership was terminated on Oct. 22, 2025.

That statement also noted that over the past 14 years, 170 Ph.D. students were admitted to its David Eccles School of Business. "The university is aware of just two students involved through The Ph.D. Project."

When the department's investigation of the 45 schools was announced last March, the University of Utah reported it had transformed the way it engages with students and the community last year in response to a new Utah law ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on Utah campuses.

"These changes included closing identity-based cultural centers, reassigning staff and changing the way student services are delivered, so they are available to all students, regardless of their 'personal identity characteristics' (as defined in state law)."

Federal investigation includes elite universities

Several of the nation's most elite colleges and universities who were included in the Department of Education investigation have reportedly signed resolution agreements to cease partnerships with The Ph.D. Project — including Carnegie Mellon University, Duke University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California-Berkeley, Notre Dame, University of Chicago and Yale University.

Negotiations are reportedly continuing with 14 additional schools.

Many of the schools promptly cut ties with The Ph.D. Project after the investigation was opened in order to avoid entanglements with the administration, The Associated Press reported.

The Department of Education had undertaken the inquiries after warning schools they could lose federal money over "race-based preferences."

The Trump administration has targeted a wide range of practices that it has labeled as "diversity, equity and inclusion."

Last year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the country's five service academies to offer admission to applicants based "exclusively on merit."

Nixing all elements of affirmative action, wrote Hegseth in a memo to senior military leadership, ensures "only the most qualified candidates" are admitted, trained and commissioned to lead "the finest fighting force in history."

"Selecting anyone but the best erodes lethality, our warfighting readiness, and undercuts the culture of excellence in our Armed Forces."

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