Lexington, Kentucky, October 3, 2025
News Summary
The University of Kentucky has been found in violation of the federal Civil Rights Act due to its association with The PhD Project, which promotes racial diversity. This decision follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which criticized the university for perpetuating racial preferences in its educational programs. UK has terminated its relationship with The PhD Project and is required to report on similar affiliations within 60 days, reflecting a significant policy shift in its diversity approach.
Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky (UK) has been found in violation of the federal Civil Rights Act by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights due to its association with a program that promotes racial diversity. This decision comes amidst a broader initiative launched by the Trump administration, which has been scrutinizing over 50 universities across the country for potential civil rights violations.
The investigation primarily focused on UK’s affiliation with The PhD Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students from underrepresented groups in earning business degrees. Officials accused the university of perpetuating “racial preferences and stereotypes” within its educational programs and activities through this partnership.
In response to the findings, UK President Eli Capiluto announced the termination of the university’s relationship with The PhD Project. He acknowledged that the investigation concluded that UK had “endorsed, promoted and benefited from a program that limited participation based on race.” This admission marks a significant shift in the university’s approach to diversity and inclusion efforts.
As a consequence of the violation, Capiluto signed an agreement that concludes the investigation and stipulates that UK must submit a comprehensive report within 60 days. This report is expected to identify any other similar organizations that UK is associated with, detailing plans for either the termination or justification of these affiliations if they impose racial restrictions.
Capiluto emphasized the necessity of adhering to federal guidelines while also maintaining the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community. The PhD Project has been characterized by the Office for Civil Rights as a “blatantly discriminatory program,” which favors specific student demographics based on race or national origin. UK had committed $5,000 annually to participate in The PhD Project’s conferences, further entrenching its support for the program.
In light of these recent developments, a dedicated team has been established at UK to review the university’s connections to other organizations that may be affected by the federal government’s increased scrutiny regarding identity-based organizations. Capiluto has acknowledged the need for careful assessment of these partnerships to ensure compliance with federal regulations without undermining the university’s mission of inclusivity and diversity.
The findings from this investigation and the subsequent actions taken by UK reflect a growing trend in the federal government’s oversight of funding and support for identity-based organizations on college campuses. As universities navigate these complex regulations, the emphasis will remain on promoting equitable learning environments while adhering to legal standards.
FAQ Section
What did the University of Kentucky violate?
The University of Kentucky was found to have violated the federal Civil Rights Act due to its association with The PhD Project, which promotes racial diversity in education.
What is The PhD Project?
The PhD Project is a nonprofit organization that aims to help students from underrepresented groups earn business degrees, but it was characterized as a “blatantly discriminatory program” by the Office for Civil Rights.
What actions will the University of Kentucky take following the investigation?
The University of Kentucky will terminate its relationship with The PhD Project and is required to submit a report identifying other similar affiliations within 60 days, detailing plans to either terminate or justify these relationships.
How much was the annual commitment UK had with The PhD Project?
The University of Kentucky had an annual commitment of $5,000 to attend The PhD Project’s conferences.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Violation | Federal Civil Rights Act |
| Investigation Body | U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights |
| Program Involved | The PhD Project |
| Annual Commitment | $5,000 |
| Deadline for Report Submission | 60 days |
| Major Findings | Racial preferences and stereotypes identified |
| Next Steps | Review of other affiliations and compliance with federal regulations |
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com
- WHAS11
- Fox 56 News
- Kentucky.com Opinion
- Kentucky.com
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights
- Google Search: University of Kentucky Civil Rights Act
- Google Scholar: University of Kentucky legal challenges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Civil Rights
- Google News: University of Kentucky civil rights investigation
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