The Department of Education is investigating the University of Rhode Island as part of an investigation into The PhD Project, according to the DOE.
URI is a participant of The PhD Project, which encourages students of color to pursue their PhD in business, according to their website. URI was one of 45 universities who received a letter from the DOE’s civil rights department ordering an investigation into the program. The letter states that the investigation is not considered evidence of a violation of federal civil rights laws or regulations.
The investigation is still an open matter as URI is working on a response, according to an email from Dawn Bergantino, the assistant director of external relations and communications. URI is committed to their foundational values and mission as a public land institution, according to the message.
The decision to shutdown the DOE came before Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20 to begin dismantling the DOE.
The Trump Administration is aiming to dismantle the Department of Education because they claim this is an opportunity for families and children to escape a system that is failing them, according to the Federal Registry. They alleged closure of the department would improve higher education programs according to the order.
URI is closely monitoring the changes to the Department of Education, according to the university message. They are working to understand the potential impacts for URI and higher education.
There will be a town hall meeting with the URI community on Thursday at 1 p.m. in Edwards Hall, according to the message. The meeting will discuss important issues and questions considering higher education. The meeting will only include URI staff, faculty, students and affiliate employees.
For more updates, go to URI’s federal actions website.
