Federal government investigating UNO for ‘race-exclusionary practices’ in graduate program

The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation Friday into the University of Nebraska at Omaha for “race-exclusionary practices" in its graduate program.

The Omaha campus is one of 45 universities under investigation for allegedly partnering with the PhD Project, a nonprofit supporting underrepresented students earning a doctorate in business.

This follows a “Dear Colleague” letter the department sent to schools in February, requiring them to stop using quote “race-based preferences” in hiring, admissions and scholarships, among other initiatives.

UNO media representatives released a statement regarding the investigation.

"We are aware of the Department of Education’s investigation," it read. "We will cooperate with the department’s Office of Civil Rights and are committed to following all non-discrimination laws."