DEI Rollbacks Hit Campus Support Systems for Students Of Color

April 21, 2025

U.S. colleges are dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in response to pressure from the Trump administration, which has threatened to cut federal funding for institutions maintaining such initiatives. The Education Department issued a February memo directing schools to eliminate race from decision-making in various aspects of campus life, including financial aid, admissions, and student activities. As universities like Michigan, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Virginia comply by closing DEI offices and eliminating specialized programs, students of color report losing vital support systems, scholarships, orientation events, and community resources that helped them navigate predominantly white institutions.

Who is affected

Students of color at predominantly white institutions, particularly Black, Latino, and Native American students
Students from low-income backgrounds who received targeted scholarships
Staff members working in DEI offices whose jobs may be eliminated
Universities that receive substantial federal funding (such as Case Western Reserve's $250 million in annual research funding)
Specific student groups including participants in programs like Michigan's LEAD Scholars program and orientation events for Latino, Arab and Asian American students
University of Michigan (6% Hispanic undergraduate population) and Case Western Reserve (6% Black undergraduate population) minority students

What action is being taken

Universities are closing DEI offices, including at the University of Michigan and Case Western Reserve
Institutions are scrapping campus-wide inclusion plans
Schools are eliminating or rebranding orientation events specifically designed for minority students
Universities are halting specific programs like Case Western's Envision Weekend and Michigan's LEAD Scholars program
The Trump administration is investigating dozens of universities for compliance with anti-DEI directives
Federal funding is being frozen at institutions accused of defying orders
Some universities are rebranding their DEI offices with new names (like Case Western's new "Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement")
Some student groups are changing their names, such as UVA's "Men of Color, Honor and Ambition" changing "color" to "character"

Why it matters

Students of color report these programs provided essential support systems, community connections, and a sense of belonging on predominantly white campuses
The programs being cut helped open doors to higher education for underrepresented students
Financial aid programs like the LEAD Scholars influenced college selection decisions for low-income students
The vague federal directives are causing universities to eliminate programs broadly to avoid scrutiny
These changes may make it harder for people of color to feel comfortable pursuing higher education
Universities risk losing critical federal funding if they don't comply with the directives
Critics argue these rollbacks represent a reversal of progress in making campuses inclusive
Opponents of DEI claim these programs violate the Civil Rights Act and should be eliminated

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

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