Department of Education opens investigation into Harvard University's legacy admissions

The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into Harvard University's policies on legacy admissions, according to a group that alleges the practice is discriminatory. The department notified Lawyers for Civil Rights, a nonprofit based in Boston, on Monday that it was investigating the group's claim that alleges the university "discriminates on the basis of race by using donor and legacy preferences in its undergraduate admissions process."

Top colleges' preferential treatment of children of alumni has been facing new scrutiny since the Supreme Court last month struck down the use of affirmative action as a tool to diversify college campuses. The court's conservative majority effectively overturned cases reaching back 45 years, forcing institutions of higher education to seek new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.

An Education Department spokesperson confirmed its Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation at Harvard and declined further comment.