Virginia Tech said the move complies with unspecified guidance from the Department of Education.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University announced on its website that it has banned university-sponsored “identity-based commencement ceremonies.” virginia pilot Although the university only announced the news on Jan. 26, it was reported Thursday.
“This decision is consistent with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which states that federal civil rights law prohibits the use of race in decisions related to commencement and warns that such practices may be considered racial segregation,” the university said in a statement. It was unclear what guidance it cited.
A year ago, the Office for Civil Rights told universities that identity-based graduations were illegal. “Many American schools and universities encourage racial segregation even in their graduation ceremonies, a shameful echo of a dark period in this country’s history,” the office wrote in a letter to Dear Colleagues. Some universities have canceled similar ceremonies.
But last April, a federal judge blocked the department from enforcing the guidance and dropped its defense on Jan. 21, five days before Virginia Tech issued its statement.
A spokesperson for Virginia Tech told Inside higher education Recognized student organizations may still use non-university funds to host events on campus. “Student groups planning events for graduating seniors should contact the appropriate scheduling office, such as Event Services, by the end of January,” the university’s online statement said.
“Virginia Tech has decided to end commencement ceremonies to ensure we are complying with the law,” a university spokesperson said in an email. “We will continue to seek ways to celebrate the academic achievements of all students, [are] Comply with current law and open to all members of the University community. ”
