Wesleyan president calls Trump's tax-exempt proposal 'extraordinary overreach'
Wesleyan University President Michael Roth has criticized a Trump administration proposal to strip tax-exempt status from private schools that offer race-based benefits. Roth argues the policy is an overreach intended to pressure universities into dismantling diversity programs through anticipatory compliance.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between federal regulatory power and the autonomy of private educational institutions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, says the school does not plan to change its programs in response to the Trump administration's proposal to strip tax-exempt status from private schools and colleges that provide certain benefits based on race.
Roth criticized the proposal, saying it could pressure universities to dismantle programs that disproportionately benefit students of color.
"This rule from the administration is meant to frighten universities into dismantling programs that benefit students of color," Roth told Morning Edition . "It's using the IRS to promote the ideology of the White House, and it's extraordinary overreach on their part."
The Trump administration argues that programs that provide benefits based on race are discriminatory, even when intended to promote diversity or address the effects of past discrimination. It says schools can continue programs based on race-neutral factors, including income and first-generation status.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in