"A year ago, the Office for Civil Rights told universities that identity-based graduations were illegal. "In a shameful echo of a darker period in this country's history, many American schools and universities even encourage segregation by race at graduation ceremonies," the office wrote in a Dear Colleague letter. Some universities canceled similar ceremonies. But, last April, a federal judge blocked the department from enforcing that guidance and, on Jan. 21-five days before Virginia Tech's statement-the department gave up defending it."
"In an email, the university spokesperson said, "Virginia Tech decided to end its graduation achievement ceremonies to ensure that we are compliant with the law. We will continue to seek ways to celebrate the academic accomplishment of all our students in ways that [are] consistent with current law and are open to all members of the university community.""
Virginia Tech announced a ban on university-funded identity-based Graduation Achievement Ceremonies, citing alignment with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights that cautions against using race in graduation decisions and warns such practices may be perceived as segregation. The Office for Civil Rights had previously labeled identity-based graduations illegal in a Dear Colleague letter, but a federal judge blocked enforcement last April and the department declined to defend the guidance on Jan. 21. Recognized student organizations may still host events on campus using nonuniversity funds, and the university intends to celebrate students in legally compliant, inclusive ways.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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