Commentary: New Trump Executive Order Threatens Diversity in Higher Ed

August 11, 2025

President Trump's recent executive order requires colleges receiving federal funding to submit detailed admissions data to prove they aren't using race in admissions decisions, with potential penalties including loss of federal aid. Critics view this as an attack on diversity initiatives, with Yale Law professor Justin Driver warning it could intimidate universities into reducing Black and Latino enrollment. The order follows the 2023 Supreme Court decision ending race-conscious admissions but targets what the administration calls "racial proxies" like personal essays and first-generation indicators.

Who is affected

College and university students, particularly Black, Latino, and American Indian students
Higher education institutions that receive federal funding
University admissions departments and administrators
Underrepresented minority groups seeking higher education opportunities

What action is being taken

President Trump is requiring colleges to submit detailed admissions data including race, GPA, test scores, and acceptance rates
The administration is targeting what it calls "racial proxies" in admissions processes
Federal authorities may implement enforcement actions against noncompliant institutions
The UC system continues to work within California's constraints to increase diversity, with recent modest enrollment increases for underrepresented groups

Why it matters

The executive order could potentially reverse diversity gains in higher education
Historical evidence from California shows that banning race-conscious admissions led to significant drops in Black and Latino student admissions
Despite modest recent gains, Black student representation in the UC system (4.7%) remains below California's Black population share (5.6%)
Tools that colleges use to build diverse student bodies are being scrutinized as potential violations
The order creates tension between the administration's interpretation of fairness and universities' diversity efforts

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint