U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit racial discrimination in college and university admissions and in hiring.
October 22, 2025
high
legal
Federal civil-rights statutes and guidance prohibit race-based discrimination in educational admissions and employment decisions.
The U.S. Department of Justice can review university admissions and financial aid processes to assess compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
October 22, 2025
high
procedural
Federal enforcement agencies have authority to investigate institutional practices related to admissions and financial aid for potential civil-rights violations.
A settled, long-running lawsuit has created a legal environment that allows colleges and universities to permit student-athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
October 10, 2025
high
policy
Legal change affecting compensation for student-athletes' name, image, and likeness.
The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is a proposed agreement that would ask colleges to conform to standards around admissions, hiring, and student life in exchange for preferential access to federal funds.
January 01, 2025
high
policy
Description of the content and purpose of a proposed higher-education agreement.
Proposals that require colleges to meet standards in areas such as admissions, hiring, and student life can include elements that align with common existing college practices as well as elements that would require substantial changes to existing policies.
January 01, 2025
high
observational
General observation about the mix of incremental and substantive changes typical in policy proposals affecting higher education institutions.
Since 2023, federal agencies have sought detailed college admissions data from universities to monitor compliance with the Supreme Court decision prohibiting race-conscious admissions.
June 29, 2023
high
temporal
Government requests for admissions data are intended to verify that race is not being considered in admissions decisions after the 2023 ruling.