Justice Dept. finds UCLA medical school illegally used race in admissions

The Justice Department determined that UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine violated federal law by considering race as a factor in its admissions process. The finding represents another enforcement action under the Biden administration's civil rights division against universities accused of race-conscious admissions practices.

UCLA's medical school incorporated race into decisions on which applicants to accept, the DOJ concluded after investigating complaints. The practice violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race at institutions receiving federal funding. UCLA receives substantial federal research dollars, making it subject to the statute's requirements.

The investigation followed the Supreme Court's June 2023 decision striking down affirmative action programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. That ruling effectively banned universities from using race as an explicit factor in admissions. The decision shifted enforcement priorities across the federal government, with the Justice Department ramping up investigations into schools still employing race-conscious policies.

The DOJ's civil rights chief directed the department to pursue cases against universities that failed to align their admissions practices with the Supreme Court's decision. UCLA now faces pressure to modify its medical school's application procedures and review protocols.

UCLA officials indicated the school would work with federal authorities to address the findings. The university said it remains committed to diversity in its medical education but must comply with federal law and Supreme Court rulings.

The case reflects broader tension between universities seeking diverse student bodies and federal enforcement of civil rights statutes interpreted to prohibit explicit racial considerations. Other major universities have already revised admissions policies following the Supreme Court ruling, removing race-based criteria from application reviews.

THE TAKEAWAY: The Justice Department's action against UCLA signals continued aggressive enforcement of the post-affirmative-action legal landscape, pressuring medical schools nationwide to strip race from admissions decisions despite their diversity goals.