Open Date: September 2025
Closed Date: 10/17/25
Agency: Department of Education
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard made clear that the consideration of race in higher education admissions violates students’ civil rights. Yet many colleges and universities appear to be moving race discrimination out of sight to get around the ruling. Defending Education’s own report shows that more than 245 colleges and universities still run DEI offices.
In August 2025, President Trump directed the Department of Education to “ensure institutions of higher education receiving Federal financial assistance are transparent in their admissions practices.” This is welcome news. More transparency in admissions is an essential first step to make sure colleges follow the law, respect applicants’ civil rights, and treat all students with dignity.
Transparent admissions data will:
- Expose any admissions process that discriminates by race.
- Act as a guardrail that makes merit, not race, the deciding factor in admissions.
- Help restore Americans’ trust that their tax dollars support fair colleges and fair processes.
Let the Department of Education know you support Transparency in Admissions!
Read DE’s official comment below:
