The Louisiana Public College System is under review by the United States Department of Education for a possible violation of civil rights. 

Records released to the public from the Department of Education included certain performance goals, requiring that schools specifically prioritize “all other races other than white, Asian.” The Louisiana Board of Regents stated that their goal was to “increase the unduplicated number of underrepresented minorities (all races other than white, Asian)”.  

The wording presents conflict with anti-discrimination laws and any concept of equity. The state Board of Regents has received a letter from the federal authorities and is willing to fully cooperate with the investigation.  

The Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said, “The Louisiana Board of Regents’ objective to prioritize recruitment and graduation efforts for ‘all races other than white [and] Asian’ appears to blatantly violate not only America’s antidiscrimination laws, but our nation’s core principles. Title VI guarantees all students equal access to educational programs and opportunities regardless of race and OCR is committed to preserving these rights,” Richey said. “[The Office for Civil Rights] will fully enforce Title VI to ensure our education programs are defined by equality, not exclusion.”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has since released an official statement in which he approved of the investigation. 

“Harmful diversity, equity, and inclusion policies have no place in Louisiana,” Landry said.   

Landry reiterated his commitment to ending DEI positions & requirements at various levels in the state. He also emphasized that any discrimination based on sex, color, or gender “will not be tolerated.” 

The investigation also reaches the state’s historically Black colleges and universities.  

The state of Louisiana now waits for the findings of the federal investigation. Any findings in the investigation by the Department of Education could restructure policy in higher education across the state if their findings unearth such a violation of federal civil rights by using the concept of race to possibly discriminate against students of different ethnicities.