Message on "Dear Colleague Letter" from the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

As many of you are aware, a recent “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) from the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is impacting thousands of institutions of higher education, including Drexel. The Department of Education’s broad interpretation of unlawful race-based discrimination under Title VI and the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard has raised many questions, so we are diligently reviewing our practices to ensure we remain in compliance with the law while maintaining our commitment to the well-being of our students, faculty and professional staff.

Like many universities across the nation, we are carefully assessing the implications of the DCL’s assertions that virtually all race-based policies or programs are illegal along with the possibility that federal funding might be withheld from educational institutions that fail to comply with this guidance. To inform this process, a University task force, headed by Youngmoo Kim, Vice Provost of University & Community Partnerships, will identify programs, activities and initiatives that may need to be evaluated in light of the DCL. The University will formulate a plan to ensure that its programs and activities continue to serve our community while complying with the relevant legal requirements.

As we navigate this fluid situation, I assure you that we will remain committed to our shared values and mission, including our commitment to maintaining an environment where everyone feels welcomed, included and valued.  

Sincerely,

Denis P. O’Brien
Interim President