Harvard University is facing an inquiry of its legacy admissions from the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.
Harvard University is facing a federal inquiry over its practice of admitting relatives of alumni to study at the world-renowned institution, known as “legacy admissions.”
The Education Department opened the investigation after three groups filed a complaint against the Ivy League school, arguing its use of legacy admissions discriminated against more qualified non-white candidates.
“The Office for Civil Rights can confirm that there is an open investigation of Harvard University under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” a spokesperson for the department told The Post.
“We do not comment on open investigations.”
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination “on the ground of race, color or national origin.”
The three groups urged the Education Department to asses whether legacy admissions unfairly excluded black, Hispanic, and Asian applicants.
The complaint came on the heels of last month’s landmark Supreme Court decision that nixed the use of race-based affirmative action in admissions decisions at most institutions of higher learning. Since the ruling came down, conservatives and liberals alike have urged the end of legacy admissions, claiming scrapping the practice would produce more diverse student bodies.
As part of the inquiry, the department will assess “whether the university discriminates on the basis of race by using donor and legacy preferences in its undergraduate admissions process,” according to a letter sent to Harvard Monday.
