Key facts
- The EEOC is suing Harvard to obtain faculty hiring records.
- The agency alleges Harvard discriminated against white, male, Asian, and straight applicants.
- Harvard has been accused of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
- The EEOC claims Harvard has been uncooperative and provided incomplete documents.
- Harvard argues the discrimination charge is meritless and the subpoena is improper.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, seeking a federal court order to compel the institution to produce documents related to its faculty hiring practices. The agency is investigating a charge filed in April 2025 that alleges Harvard violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by discriminating against white, male, Asian, and straight applicants.
According to the EEOC's filing, Harvard has been uncooperative during negotiations and provided only partial and deficient documents after being served with a subpoena in June. Lawyers for the EEOC stated that Harvard's actions have delayed and hampered their investigation.
Harvard has contested the subpoena, arguing that the discrimination charge is without merit and that the EEOC's request is impermissibly vague and irrelevant. The university also suggested that the EEOC's actions are retaliatory, coinciding with Harvard's legal battles with the Trump administration over admissions practices and funding.