Education Department Launches Investigation into Harvard University’s Admissions Process Following Civil Rights Complaint

The Department of Education has opened an investigation into Harvard University’s admissions process following a complaint from advocacy groups alleging that the school’s use of legacy admissions violates federal civil rights law.

Lawyers for Civil Rights, a Boston-based nonprofit, filed a federal civil rights complaint earlier this month on behalf of Black and Latino community groups in New England. The complaint accuses Harvard of engaging in the “discriminatory practice of giving preferential treatment in the admissions process to applicants with familial ties to wealthy donors and alumni.”

The Education Department confirmed Tuesday that its Office for Civil Rights is investigating Harvard for possible violations of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act. An Education Department spokesperson declined to provide additional comment.

The investigation is the latest development in the legal battle over U.S. college admissions. The complaint against Harvard is the first of its kind to be filed with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.

The outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for the admissions process at Harvard and other universities. If the Office for Civil Rights finds that Harvard is in violation of Title VI, the school could be required to make changes to its admissions process. It is unclear how long the investigation will take.