Federal Judge Blocks Administration's Bid to Pry Open Harvard Admissions Data
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A U.S. district judge dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit demanding Harvard University produce applicant-level admissions records, citing procedural shortcomings and leaving the underlying discrimination question unresolved.
A federal judge in Boston dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department that sought to compel Harvard University to hand over detailed admissions records. The decision, issued on Monday, was grounded in procedural issues rather than the merits of whether the university continues to take race into account in its admissions process.
Judge Allison J. Joun, a Biden-appointed judge, agreed with Harvard that the complaint failed to show the department had taken all legally required steps to obtain voluntary compliance before threatening litigation. > "For example, the complaint does not allege that DOJ informed Harvard of the action it would take — namely, litigation — should Harvard fail to comply, nor does the complaint allege the specific failure identified," Joun wrote.
The Justice Department filed the case in February, arguing that Harvard had not provided the data needed to evaluate compliance with the Supreme Court's 2023 decision that barred race-conscious admissions programs and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Harvard officials said the lawsuit was retaliation for the university's refusal to change its governance and programs to meet the administration's demands.
Harvard has previously won rulings against the administration in separate cases involving attempts to cut federal grants, block international student programs, and sue over alleged harassment of Jewish and Israeli students. The university recently reported a decline in Black undergraduate enrollment, falling to 9.3% for the class of 2030.
Judge Joun indicated that the Justice Department could refile the case if it follows additional administrative procedures, but he did not address whether Harvard had engaged in discriminatory practices.