University of California faces investigation for discriminatory hiring practices

In the United States, the Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the University of California system regarding its hiring practices. Concerns have been raised that these practices may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The investigation specifically addresses potential race- and sex-based discrimination in faculty hiring across the university's individual campuses. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon indicated that information suggests the UC system's 'UC 2030 Capacity Plan' may have led to unlawful hiring actions that favor certain demographics over others. The 'UC 2030 Capacity Plan' is a strategic initiative designed to enhance enrollment and meet the educational needs of California's diverse population. The plan emphasizes increasing diversity among faculty members to address issues of representation in the university. However, the Justice Department expressed concerns that the plan's directive to hire 'diverse' employees may function as de facto hiring quotas, potentially infringing upon federal law. Harmeet Dhillon made it clear that public institutions, such as the University of California, must comply with federal laws prohibiting racial and other employment discrimination. As part of the investigation, the DOJ's Civil Rights Division has begun gathering evidence to assess whether there has been a systemic pattern of discriminatory practices within the hiring processes of the University of California. The investigation stems from an assertion that some measures in the hiring framework may measure new hires explicitly by race and sex, raising significant legal concerns. In a letter sent to UC President Michael Drake, the DOJ outlined its reasons for the investigation and pointed out that institutional strategies that utilize race and sex-based criteria in hiring can expose universities to legal risks. The University of California has publicly stated its commitment to uphold fair and lawful practices in its hiring processes, asserting compliance with both federal and state anti-discrimination laws. A spokesperson for the university confirmed that it will collaborate with the DOJ during this inquiry. Additionally, UC's provost, Katherine S. Newman, recently announced a decision to eliminate the requirement for diversity statements from new applicants, citing concerns that this practice could negatively impact the evaluation of applicants. While the UC will still allow candidates to discuss their diversity-related accomplishments, the removal of mandatory statements has been framed as a step to ensure fair evaluation based on professional qualifications rather than demographic characteristics.