University of Chicago Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Admissions and International Student Enrollment
The University of Chicago is under increased federal scrutiny, with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security requesting information regarding its admissions practices and international student population. The inquiries, first reported by Bloomberg on Friday, raise concerns about potential investigations and their possible financial impact on the prestigious institution.
According to bond issuance documents dated July 11, the university disclosed the receipt of information requests from both departments. “There may be prospective investigations or inquiries,” the documents stated, adding that while the immediate financial impact appears limited, “these and other developments involving the federal government may, directly or indirectly, have a material adverse effect on the financial profile and operating performance of the University.”
Neither the University of Chicago, the Department of Justice, nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for comment.
Financial Reliance on International Students and Federal Funding
The timing of these requests is particularly sensitive given the university’s significant reliance on both international students and federal funding. Approximately one-third of the student body is comprised of international students, and any restrictions impacting their enrollment could severely harm the university’s financial stability. The documents explicitly state that limiting the ability to enroll international students “would have a materially adverse impact on the financial condition of the University.”
Furthermore, around 18% of the school’s revenue for the last academic year—roughly $543 million—originated from federal funding. The university has recently experienced setbacks in securing federal grants from organizations like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, although appeals have been filed and no funds have yet been lost.
Visa Scrutiny and Broader Political Context
The federal inquiries follow a recent announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding revisions to student visa criteria. Rubio stated the government intends to “enhance scrutiny” of applications from students in China and Hong Kong, specifically targeting those studying in “critical fields” or with “connections to the Chinese Communist Party.”
This increased focus on international students coincides with broader investigations and policy shifts impacting higher education. In March, the University of Chicago, along with 45 other institutions, was placed under investigation by the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights for alleged Title VI violations related to participation in a conference aimed at expanding opportunities for doctoral students.
Department of Justice Targets DEI Initiatives
The Department of Justice has also taken a firm stance against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In April, the department celebrated the apparent dismantling of the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Scholarship, which it labeled “DEI.” A senior official stated, “This Department of Justice is committed to rooting DEI out of American institutions, including in the education system,” and claimed the University of Chicago had confirmed its non-participation in the scholarship. However, the university clarified through the Chicago Maroon that it had not participated in the scholarship since 2023.
The confluence of these events—the admissions inquiries, the visa scrutiny, and the targeting of DEI programs—suggests a multifaceted federal approach to higher education, raising questions about the future of international student enrollment and the role of diversity initiatives on college campuses.
