Critics, however, say it may be illegal for schools to collect the data demanded by the US president in a memo signed on Thursday
US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum that requires universities to collect admissions data to prove they are not engaged in efforts to shape their student bodies along racial lines, according to the White House.
But the largest higher education policy and lobbying organisation in the US said the wording of the memo was vague and it may be illegal for schools to collect the data on race that the White House seeks.
The move is the latest effort in the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle affirmative action policies at universities.
It has launched dozens of investigations and threatened to cut off funding to schools that promote diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.
