The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Trump Administration Threatens Takeover of Harvard Patents Worth Hundreds of Millions
Federal Judge Declares Education Department's Attempt to Block DEI Programs Unlawful
Justice Department Releases Guidance on Unlawful Discrimination
Administration Finds GWU Failed to Address Campus Antisemitism
Trump Issues Executive Order on “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking”
Trump Issues Presidential Memorandum on “Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions”
Post of the Week!

The Highlights 📰

Research

The latest updates on legislation and regulations that impact Duke's research enterprise.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENS TAKEOVER OF HARVARD PATENTS WORTH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS

The Commerce Department has announced a review of Harvard University’s patents stemming from federally funded research, citing concerns about compliance with the Bayh-Dole Act. The review could allow the federal government to claim ownership of certain patents or license them to third parties. The university has until Sept. 5 to provide a list of relevant patents and documentation of compliance.

Potential Patent Takeover

Student Aid, Institutional Support and Taxes

The latest updates regarding legislation and regulatory actions related to student aid, higher education institutional support, taxes and more.

NASFAA Student Aid Reference Desk

FEDERAL JUDGE DECLARES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ATTEMPT TO BLOCK DEI PROGRAMS UNLAWFUL

A federal judge in Maryland has struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to require schools to follow its interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law. The ruling vacates a February Education Department letter and related compliance certification: "The administration is entitled to express its viewpoints and to promulgate policies aligned with those viewpoints,” Judge Stephanie Gallagher wrote. “But it must do so within the procedural bounds Congress has outlined. And it may not do so at the expense of constitutional rights."

Judge Ruling

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES GUIDANCE ON UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

The Department of Justice has issued new guidance to federal agencies outlining how federal funding recipients should comply with antidiscrimination laws. While not legally binding, the guidance highlights practices that could draw regulatory scrutiny, such as race- or sex-based preferences, segregation, use of “unlawful proxies” and certain training programs that may promote discrimination. It also lists best practices, including ensuring inclusive access, focusing on skills and qualifications, avoiding diversity quotas and monitoring third-party compliance.

Guidance Released

ADMINISTRATION FINDS GWU FAILED TO ADDRESS CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM

The Justice Department has concluded that George Washington University failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus, citing a hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty. Federal officials said the university acted with “deliberate indifference” and is being offered the opportunity to enter a voluntary resolution agreement before enforcement actions proceed, which could include loss of federal funding.

Campus Antisemitism

Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to Duke

TRUMP ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER ON "IMPROVING OVERSIGHT OF FEDERAL GRANTMAKING"

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing that federal grant approvals be reviewed by his political appointees, alongside subject matter experts, to ensure they align with the administration’s policy priorities. The order states that discretionary awards should not fund programs viewed as compromising public safety or promoting “anti-American values,” citing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, support for undocumented immigrants and transgender programs as examples.

Executive Order

TRUMP ISSUES PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM ON "ENSURING TRANSPARENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMISSIONS"

President Trump has directed the Department of Education to collect expanded admissions data from colleges and universities, with a primary focus on applicants’ race, as well as sex, test scores, GPAs and other academic details. The administration says the new reporting aims to improve transparency and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision prohibiting race-conscious admissions. Institutions participating in federal student aid programs must provide disaggregated data for applicants, admitted students and enrollees, with noncompliance potentially triggering remedial actions under federal law.

Administration and Admissions

Post of the Week!

Government Relations Resources

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