Dept. Of Education Drops Investigation Into Princeton University

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University said the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) has closed its investigation into the university over charges of racial bias.

The announcement was made by university president Christopher L. Eisgruber in his State of the University address on Feb. 4.

According to university newspaper The Daily Princetonian that first reported the new development, the investigation was closed on Jan. 13.

Last September, the DoE informed the university in a letter that it was opening an investigation into its non-discrimination practices.

The investigation came after Eisgruber wrote a letter to the university highlighting steps it was taking to combat "systemic racism" on campus.

He wrote the letter after nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other Black Americans.

In a letter to the university on Sep. 16, 2020, Federal officials said, "On September 2, 2020, you admitted Princeton's educational program is and for decades has been racist."

The DoE suggested that Princeton may not have been eligible for more than $75 million in taxpayer funding it received since Eisgruber became president in 2013.

The department said it was considering measures to "recover funds" or impose a fine.

Princeton responded to the letter saying it was "unfortunate that the department appears to believe that grappling honestly with the nation's history and the current effects of systemic racism runs afoul of existing law."

In his recent address, Eisgruber said Princeton University is in full compliance with all anti-discrimination laws.

“The Trump administration’s specious theory was that any institution that recognized the impact of systemic racism thereby confessed to having violated federal anti-discrimination laws,” Eisgruber said.

He said the university took pride in its "energetic commitment to equality and inclusivity.”

“Our initiatives to fight systemic racism are part and parcel of that commitment—an effort to go above and beyond what the law requires, as all of us must do if we are to realize our aspirations at this University and in this country.

He thanked legislators, other educational institutions, and professional organizations who came to “Princeton’s defense.”

“We are grateful for their stalwart support. After its initial letter to us, the Department of Education took no substantial action on its bogus “investigation” except to close it as the Trump administration left office,” he said.

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