Federal authorities launch probe into University of Michigan following arrest of two Chinese researchers
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has initiated a formal investigation into the University of Michigan (UM) over allegations of incomplete and inaccurate reporting of foreign source gifts and contracts, as required by law.
Key details of the investigation reveal that UM submitted delayed reports and categorised some foreign funding sources as "nongovernmental entities," despite these funders appearing to be directly affiliated with foreign governments. This inquiry comes amidst concerns that UM's research labs may be vulnerable to foreign sabotage or interference.
The ED highlighted recent criminal charges by the U.S. Department of Justice against Chinese nationals linked to UM, involving allegations of smuggling dangerous biological materials into the U.S. The potential threat to U.S. agricultural security through UM research labs has raised significant concerns.
In response to these concerns, UM has already terminated a partnership with China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University earlier this year, under Congressional pressure. The ED investigation requires UM to produce relevant records within 30 days to verify compliance and ensure transparency about the full extent of foreign funding and influence on the campus.
Ann Chih Lin, director of the university's Center for Chinese Studies, was singled out in the letter for her public statements that the threat of technology theft from China is overstated. In June, the University of Michigan announced a review of research security protocols after condemning actions that undermine national security.
This investigation is a direct response to concerns over incomplete foreign funding reports and recent criminal charges tied to Chinese nationals allegedly engaging in smuggling activities that could potentially threaten U.S. national security.
The ED is not alone in its investigations. Similar investigations have been opened at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of California, Berkeley, as part of a renewed effort to increase transparency around foreign gifts and contracts to U.S. universities, particularly those tied to China.
President Donald Trump made it a priority to increase transparency in this area, and while many of these cases were closed by the Biden administration, the effort has recently been renewed. The enforcement of federal laws requiring universities to report all gifts and contracts from foreign sources totaling $250,000 or more was mostly unenforced until Trump's first term.
This investigation underscores the importance of transparency and national security in the context of foreign funding in U.S. universities. As the investigation continues, the University of Michigan and other institutions will need to ensure their compliance with foreign funding disclosure laws to maintain trust and security.
[1] Education Department Opens Investigation into University of Michigan's Foreign Funding (2021, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/07/15/education-department-opens-investigation-university-michigans-foreign-funding
[2] University of Michigan Under Federal Investigation for Foreign Funding Disclosures (2021, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/15/us/university-of-michigan-foreign-funding-investigation.html
- The investigation by the Education Department highlights the need for increased transparency in education-and-self-development, particularly regarding foreign funding, as concerns regarding potential involvement in politics, crime-and-justice, and general-news have been raised.
- In light of recent events, including criminal charges against Chinese nationals linked to the University of Michigan, the investigation serves as a reminder for the importance of compliance with laws in education-and-self-development, and the potential impact on various aspects of society, such as politics and national security.
