EXCLUSIVE: Civil Rights Group Calls For Federal Investigation Of State University Over ‘Hidden’ DEI
Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) filed a federal complaint Wednesday calling for an investigation into Arizona State University (ASU) after an administrator was caught on a hidden camera admitting that the university still practices diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Associate chair of ASU’s criminology department, Rebecca Loftus, admitted to an undercover investigator that DEI is still integrated into the school’s curriculum, while staff hid the ideology, according to a video released by Accuracy in Media (AIM). PPT calls on the Department of Education (ED), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to “investigate Arizona State University and, if violations are substantiated, sanction the institution to the extent the department deems appropriate,” according to the complaint obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“[A]In Loftus’ own words, she believes the school is at risk of federal funds being withheld due to the nature of the school’s DEI activities,” the complaint states. “If school leadership feels this way, this matter certainly merits investigation.”
Protesters block traffic as they rally against the fatal police assault of Tire Nichols, in Venice, California, January 29, 2023. (Photo by AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
Loftus said in the video that “there are a lot” of DEIs still involved in the criminal justice program, but that it is not “broadcast” as openly today. The director said there is an “ideas office” that designs courses for the department and ensures the school “celebrates the diversity of our students.”
“You won’t find a lot of programs that will broadcast like they used to because of federal funding for universities, especially public universities like ASU…If federal funds are withheld, that really has a big impact,” Loftus said in the AIM video.
Loftus then explained that the courses still teach about “discriminatory practices” and how certain policies disproportionately “target” certain communities, according to AIM. (RELATED: How Activists Are Using Curriculum and ‘Training’ to Integrate Left-Wing Ideology into K-12 Schools)
ASU did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment.
On his first day back in office for his second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning DEI programs and practices in the federal government, which included prohibiting federal grants to fund such programs. Loftus in the video directly acknowledged the executive order preventing the school from openly implementing DEI practices.
“Most of our professors tend to be a little more liberal. You have to be careful about the language you use,” Loftus added. “We’re doing pretty much what we did before.”
“Too many of our educational institutions are wedded to these discriminatory policies. Even when faced with consequences, such as loss of funding, officials choose to drive them underground and hide them from students, regulators and the public rather than change course,” TPP Director Michael Chamberlain told DCNF. “Our schools and universities have enormous potential to benefit students and the country, but too often they choose to prioritize politics over education. »
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news service, is available free to any legitimate news publisher capable of delivering a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and DCNF affiliation. For questions about our guidelines or our partnership, please contact licenses@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
