UPDATE: The University of Notre Dame released the following statement regarding Rokita's letter:

"Notre Dame is a premier Catholic research university, and as such, seeks to serve and reflect the broader Catholic Church, which is the world’s most global, multicultural, and multilingual institution. We do not engage in unlawful discrimination in our hiring or admissions processes and look to attract the best and brightest to our campus."

ORIGINAL: SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a letter to the University of Notre Dame concerning the university's equity, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices, which potentially violate federal and state civil rights laws and the terms of the university's nonprofit status.

Available materials include the university's 2033 Strategic Framework suggesting that Notre Dame may treat students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and job applicants differently based on race or ethnicity; employ race in a negative manner when making admissions or hiring decisions; or utilize racial stereotyping.

Racial discrimination of any kind in educational settings violates state law. Attorney General Rokita said nonprofit universities that flout those principles and pursue race-based DEI initiatives may jeopardize their nonprofit status.

“Indiana will not tolerate racial discrimination in education under the guise of DEI,” said Attorney General Todd Rokita. “Fairness demands that every individual be judged on their merits, not the color of their skin. Notre Dame’s DEI policies raise troubling questions about whether, in its pursuit of DEI goals, the university may be crossing the clear line that Indiana law draws against racial discrimination. I am seeking answers," said Attorney General Rokita.

Attorney General Rokita’s letter explains that racial discrimination by any university cannot be squared with the public or charitable purposes that a nonprofit like Notre Dame is supposed to serve.

The letter requests information from Notre Dame about its admissions and hiring practices, including details about any changes it made to its practices, and the letter instructs Notre Dame to respond by June 9, 2025. 

The full letter can be read here.