**Title: Duke University School of Law Faces Allegations of Racial Discrimination from DOJ**
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Duke University School of Law of racial discrimination in its admissions process, claiming that the institution has not adhered to a recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. This allegation comes in the wake of a landmark decision issued by the Supreme Court in 2023, which significantly limited the use of race in college admissions.
The Supreme Court's ruling stemmed from cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The court's decision emphasized the importance of constitutional equal-protection principles, which aim to ensure that admissions processes do not discriminate based on race.
In a statement released on Thursday, the DOJ asserted that Duke Law has formally acknowledged the Supreme Court's ruling but continues to implement an admissions system that allegedly favors Black and Hispanic applicants over their white and Asian counterparts. The DOJ claims that the law school has employed "race or closely related proxies," such as personal essays and first-generation college status, to achieve its diversity objectives. Meanwhile, traditional academic metrics, particularly Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores, have reportedly been assigned less importance.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who oversees civil rights at the DOJ, highlighted the disparities in the admissions process. According to Dhillon, the system in place for the classes entering between 2023 and 2025 provided Black applicants with a probability of admission approximately 3.5 times higher than that of equally qualified Asian applicants with similar academic credentials.
In light of these findings, Dhillon urged Duke Law to voluntarily cease the alleged discriminatory practices. She warned that failure to do so could result in potential enforcement actions against the institution.
Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, is considered part of the "Ivy Plus" group, a collection of highly selective universities that share a level of prestige comparable to the Ivy League schools. In response to the DOJ's letter, Duke Law stated that it is currently reviewing the allegations and remains committed to conducting its admissions process in a manner that is lawful and aligned with its academic mission.
This is not the first time the DOJ has raised concerns regarding admissions practices at elite institutions. In May, the department similarly accused Yale School of Medicine of engaging in discriminatory admissions practices.
As the situation develops, Duke Law faces scrutiny not only from the DOJ but also from the broader academic community regarding its commitment to equitable admissions practices. The ongoing debate over affirmative action and its implications for college admissions continues to be a contentious issue across the United States, with many institutions grappling with how to balance diversity goals with compliance to legal standards.
The DOJ's findings and Duke Law's response will likely play a significant role in shaping future discussions on race and admissions in higher education.