By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The University of Virginia has reached a formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to close five ongoing civil rights investigations while agreeing to quarterly federal oversight through 2028.
The deal, signed Oct. 22 by Interim President Paul Mahoney and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, pauses the department’s remaining inquiries into UVA’s compliance with anti-discrimination laws involving race, sex and national origin.
Federal investigators began reviewing UVA’s admissions and hiring practices earlier this year after complaints that some of the university’s diversity and hiring policies might conflict with federal civil rights law.
The investigations were part of a broader federal review following a series of directives that began earlier this year, an executive order from President Donald Trump instructing federal agencies to end illegal discrimination and race-based preferences.
That order was followed by guidance from the Department of Education in February and the Justice Department in July requiring federally funded schools to certify compliance with civil-rights laws in admissions and hiring.
Under the agreement, UVA must submit quarterly reports to the Justice Department confirming that it remains in compliance with federal law.
“This notable agreement with the University of Virginia will protect students and faculty from unlawful discrimination, ensuring that equal opportunity and fairness are restored,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division said in a statement.
“We appreciate the progress that the university has made in combating antisemitism and racial bias, and other American universities should be on alert that the Justice Department will ensure that our federal civil rights laws are enforced for every American, without exception.”
In a message to the university community, Interim President Paul Mahoney said the agreement does not require UVA to make any monetary payments and “preserves the academic freedom of our faculty, students, and staff.” Mahoney added that the university will continue its internal review of policies and practices to ensure compliance with federal law.
Two of the five federal investigations were already closed in June.
The agreement will stay in effect through Dec. 31, 2028, when the Justice Department will decide whether to close the remaining investigations, according to the university.