Commentary

The Office for Civil Rights Is Investigating a Discriminatory Program at Washington University in St. Louis Institute for Public Health

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • May 17, 2023
  • Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened a federal civil rights investigation of a discriminatory program at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) Institute for Public Health.

Earlier this year, Do No Harm program manager Laura Morgan filed a complaint with the Kansas City OCR requesting a review of the “SummerR ReseArch DIversity ProgrAm iN Cardiovascular Disease & HEmatology (RADIANCE)” program for its racially discriminatory eligibility criteria.

Figure 1. Eligibility criteria for the RADIANCE program from the WUSTL website.

To be eligible, “Participants must meet one or more of the following categories:

  • Individuals from racial and ethnic groups who are underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis*
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds

*The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.”

A promotional flyer for the RADIANCE program shows the same eligibility requirements.

Figure 2. Promotional flyer for the RADIANCE program at WUSTL Institute for Public Health.

Because Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, OCR opened an investigation into the 8-week program, which starts on June 5, 2023. Participants receive a stipend and support for travel expenses.