The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting civil rights investigations into the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the University of Minnesota following complaints regarding dormitory programs that may be racially discriminatory. The Equal Protection Project filed complaints alleging that UConn operates three housing programs—ScHOLA²RS House, BSOUL House, and La Comunidad Intelectual—targeted at Black and Hispanic students. Similarly, the University of Minnesota is accused of promoting four programs—Huntley House, Charlotte’s Home, CASA SOL, and Tsev Hmoob—toward Black, Hispanic, and Hmong American students.
HUD officials stated that these programs may violate the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by potentially steering students based on race, despite claims from the universities that the programs are open to all students. Both universities have denied any discriminatory practices. A spokesperson for the University of Minnesota indicated that the school was unaware of the HUD investigation but maintained that its programs comply with federal regulations. UConn similarly asserted that it does not discriminate based on race and that its housing communities are accessible to all students.
The complaints suggest that the language and marketing of these programs could imply exclusivity based on race, which may lead to unlawful racial steering. HUD has committed to investigating the allegations against both institutions to assess compliance with federal housing laws.