Trump Signs Memo Requiring Universities to Disclose Race-Based Admissions Data

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Thursday requiring universities to collect and report admissions data—such as applicant race and gender—to prove they are not shaping their student bodies along racial lines.

What the Memo Requires

The memorandum instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to direct the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to gather data from higher education institutions. The scope includes the race and gender of applicants, admitted students, and all enrolled undergraduates.

Context—Supreme Court Ruling and "Diversity Statements"

The new demand follows a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action, deeming race-based admissions unconstitutional. The administration alleges that universities are circumventing the ruling through “diversity statements” in applications that implicitly reveal applicants’ racial identities.

Reaction from Higher Education Leaders

American Council on Education (ACE)—the nation’s largest higher education lobbying organization—called the memo’s wording vague and argued that requesting racial data is likely illegal under the Supreme Court ruling. ACE’s Senior VP Jonathan Fansmith said, “You can’t consider race in admissions, so schools don’t collect data on race from applicants.”

A senior administration official (who spoke anonymously) countered that the Supreme Court ruling doesn’t prohibit the collection of demographic data—as long as it's not used in admissions decisions—and emphasized that universities should block admissions officers from accessing applicants' racial data.

Enforcement and Compliance

The memo empowers the Education Secretary to conduct accuracy checks via the NCES and to take remedial actions—such as withholding federal funding—if institutions fail to submit timely or accurate data, under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

The Broader Policy Trajectory

This move forms part of a broader Trump administration campaign to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at universities. It follows executive orders, settlements with Columbia and Brown University, and other measures aimed at enforcing “merit-based” admissions and reducing DEI emphasis.

Institutional Responses and Concerns

Columbia and Brown universities—among institutions already under federal scrutiny—have agreed to provide similar admissions data in recent settlements with the administration. Critics argue this trend may erode student privacy and academic autonomy.

Mixed Admissions Trends After the Court Ruling

Post-Supreme Court data shows mixed results: some schools report sharp declines in Black student enrollment, while others see minimal change. Strategies like socioeconomic-based admissions and additional essays are being explored, but diversity outcomes remain inconsistent.

Conclusion

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