Department of Education to investigate Princeton after president admits to 'systemic racism'

The Department of Education announced it is investigating Princeton University after its president said racism is “embedded” at the Ivy League school and in society, according to a new report.

In an open letter published earlier this month, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber outlined his plan to tackle “systemic racism” at the university and elsewhere.

“Racist assumptions from the past also remain embedded in structures of the University itself,” he wrote. “For example, Princeton inherits from earlier generations at least nine departments and programs organized around European languages and culture, but only a single, relatively small program in African studies.”

If "racism and the damage it does to people of color persist at Princeton" as Eisgruber wrote, then the school may be violating a portion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to a letter from the Education Department to Princeton obtained by the Washington Examiner.

The DOE also sent a formal records request and is investigating whether Princeton lied about its adherence to the Civil Rights Act to receive federal funds, the outlet reported... (Read more)

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