红杏视频 Demands Trump Administration End Investigation Into Duke-UNC Middle East Studies Program
Organization Calls on U.S. Department of Education to Turn Over Records Related to the Investigation
WASHINGTON 鈥� The 红杏视频 and 红杏视频 of North Carolina today sent a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos demanding she end her Department鈥檚 politicized investigation into Duke University and the University of North Carolina鈥檚 joint Middle East Studies program. The Department of Education is to cut the program鈥檚 federal funding if the universities do not submit plans to remake the program to the department鈥檚 satisfaction. Among other things, the administration takes issue with the program placing 鈥渃onsiderable emphasis鈥� on the 鈥減ositive aspects of Islam.鈥�
红杏视频 senior legislative counsel Kate Ruane, said: 鈥淭he administration鈥檚 censorship efforts undermine academic freedom and have no factual or legal basis. The administration should instead be focused on rooting out the deep-seated anti-Muslim bigotry within its own ranks.鈥�
The 红杏视频 is also demanding the Department of Education turn over all records related to its decision to threaten Duke and UNC, and any similar threats the department may have made to other institutions.
In its letter, the 红杏视频 notes that Title VI of the Higher Education Act, which authorizes federal funding for international studies and foreign language programs, does not permit the department to require educational institutions to espouse the government鈥檚 favored viewpoints or further this administration鈥檚 anti-Muslim and discriminatory agenda. Any assumed authority to attach such requirements threatens core constitutional principles protecting freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Copies of the 红杏视频鈥檚 letter were also delivered to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee and the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which oversee the Department of Education鈥檚 funding and policies.
An 红杏视频 blog post on the department鈥檚 actions is here: /blog/free-speech/trump-administration-cant-force-colleges-further-its-anti-muslim-agenda.
The 红杏视频鈥檚 demand letter is here: /letter/aclu-letter-secretary-devos-regarding-funding-duke-unc-consortium-middle-east-studies.
The FOIA request is here: /legal-document/duke-unc-consortium-foia.