Sean Duffy, the United States Transportation Secretary, has announced the termination of seven university grants totaling $54 million. These universities include the University of Southern California, New York University, San Jose State University, University of New Orleans, Johns Hopkins University, City College of New York, and the University of California, Davis. In a statement released by the department on Friday, Duffy stated that the grants were being utilized to promote a green agenda and extreme DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, which he deemed wasteful. He also mentioned that these grants did not align with the transportation priorities of the American public, accusing the previous administration of transforming the Department of Transportation into a platform focused on progressive ideologies. I have directed the Department’s efforts toward key priorities: ensuring safety, enhancing travel experiences, and constructing impressive infrastructure projects. “We need to bring a sense of realism back to our higher education system, and that begins with eliminating these unnecessary and polarizing grants,” Duffy stated. Below are the seven university grants that have been revoked. University of California, Davis is allocated $12 million to advance research focused on promoting equitable decarbonization. City College of New York has received approximately $9 million to conduct research on “equitable transportation solutions for underserved workers.” The University of Southern California received approximately $9 million to conduct research on how the transportation system contributes to and maintains inequities. New York University has received $6 million to finance research on providing “e-bikes to low-income travelers in transit deserts.” San Jose State University has allocated approximately $6 million for research focused on “intermodal inequities,” specifically examining how enhancements in automobile travel can advantage wealthier individuals. The University of New Orleans has received $6 million for research focused on “equitable transit-oriented communities” and the ways in which neighborhood stabilization initiatives contribute to environmental justice.
