USDA Freezes Funding for University of Maine Pending Civil Rights Review

USDA says it is weighing whether to take further steps to address the school’s potential violations of Title IX.

The Department of Agriculture in Washington on March 18, 2012. Reuters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused all funding for programs in the University of Maine (UMaine) system, citing an ongoing review of potential civil rights violations.

A USDA spokesperson confirmed that the funding freeze amounts to $100 million in grants and contracts. UMaine officials said on March 11 they have received about $30 million for fiscal year 2024 so far.