EEOC probes Harvard for discrimination in hiring practices

In a significant move, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) initiated an investigation into Harvard University's faculty hiring practices on April 25, 2025. This probe is based on concerns that Harvard may have unlawfully favored candidates based on race and sex, potentially discriminating against white, Asian, male, or straight applicants. The investigation follows the university's declaration of an increase in faculty diversity, stating that the number of 'women, non-binary, and/or people of color' among tenure-track faculty has significantly grown over the past decade. However, the EEOC suggests that this increase might illustrate a pattern of discriminatory practices against individuals from these backgrounds, as cited in the commissioner charge by acting EEOC commissioner Andrea Lucas. Harvard is currently facing scrutiny not only from the EEOC but also from multiple government agencies for its use of racial preferences, amidst a broader context of federal actions aimed at enforcing civil rights legislation. These challenges come at a tumultuous time for the university, which is also battling a legal fight against the Trump administration over the freezing of significant federal aid. The investigation and the allegations of discrimination are compounded by the larger national dialogue around racial equity and preferences in college admissions and hiring processes, highlighting the contentious atmosphere related to such policies in contemporary education. The outcome of this investigation could lead to notable repercussions for Harvard, as well as reflect broader shifts in federal policy under the current administration regarding civil rights in educational institutions.