Trump Wants to Change Colleges Nationwide. GOP-Led States Offer a Preview.
Conservatives Overhaul “Woke” Colleges
Nearly a decade ago, intense protests over racial injustice rocked the University of Missouri’s flagship campus, leading to the resignation of two top administrators. The university then hired its first-ever vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity, and equity. Tensions were so high that football players were threatening a boycott and a graduate student went on hunger strike.
Today, the entire diversity office is gone, an example of changes sweeping universities in states led by conservatives, and a possible harbinger of things to come nationwide.
Students and Faculty Grapple with Campus Changes
Pushback is exactly what DEI programs have faced.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, in March signed into law a bill barring state funding for public colleges that advocate for “divisive concepts” including that someone should feel guilty because of their race or gender. The law also states people at schools and colleges must use the bathroom that matches their gender assigned at birth.
The effects of the anti-DEI law rippled through campuses including the University of Alabama and Auburn University, the state’s two largest four-year colleges. DEI offices and designated areas for LGBTQ+ and Black students closed when classes started in late August — just before the law took effect.
Trump Vows a Federal Crackdown on DEI
So far, nearly all of the threats to DEI have come from state legislatures, said Jeremy Young, of the free-expression group PEN America.
“There hasn’t been much support at the federal level to do anything,” he said. “Now, of course, that’s going to change.”
Young anticipates that diversity considerations will be eliminated for research grants and possibly for accreditation. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights typically investigates discrimination against people of color, but under Trump, that office could start investigating diversity programs that conservatives argue are discriminatory.
Campus Life under Attack
In Idaho, DEI programs have been under attack for years, with Republican lawmakers blasting efforts to build an inclusive culture as “divisive and exclusionary.” In recent sessions, the Legislature has blocked colleges and universities from using taxpayer dollars on campus DEI programs. A 2024 law banned written “diversity statements” in higher education hiring and student admissions.
In December, the State Board of Education scrapped DEI offices, causing shockwaves at the University of Idaho. Doctoral student Nick Koenig is considering leaving the state.
“Where do your true values lie?” asked Koenig, who decided to move to Idaho to research climate change after a Zoom call with the then-director of the school’s LGBT center. “It’s not with the students that are most marginalized.”
Students Speak Out
Dakota Grimes, a graduate student in chemistry, was disappointed when Auburn University closed the campus’ Pride Center, a designated safe space for LGBTQ+ people and allies. Grimes’ organization, Sexuality and Gender Alliance, still meets regularly in the library, she said, but LGBTQ+ students don’t feel as welcome on campus. Students are subjected to homophobic and transphobic slurs, Grimes said.
“They don’t feel safe just sitting in the student center because of the kind of environment that a lot of students and even teachers create on campus,” Grimes said.
Julia Dominguez, a political science senior at the University of Alabama and president of the Hispanic-Latino Association, said funding for the group’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month festival was pulled two weeks before the event in September. Students who were once excited about being at a school that celebrates Latino culture, she said, are now feeling dejected and disillusioned.
The organization isn’t giving up, Dominguez said.
“We are still present,” Dominguez said. “We are still doing the work. It’s just harder now. But we’re not going to allow that to steal our joy because joy is resistance.”
Conclusion
The changes sweeping universities in states led by conservatives are a harbinger of things to come nationwide. Trump’s vow to end “wokeness” and “leftist indoctrination” in education could spell disaster for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the country. As colleges and universities adapt to the changing political landscape, students and faculty must be vigilant in defending their rights and pushing back against attacks on their campus communities.
FAQs
What is DEI?
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. It refers to initiatives and programs designed to promote and celebrate diversity on college campuses, including programs focused on racial and gender identity, LGBTQ+ students, and other underrepresented groups.
What are the implications of Trump’s plan to end DEI?
Trump’s plan to end DEI could lead to a federal crackdown on diversity programs, potentially eliminating funding for research grants and accreditation. It could also lead to an investigation of diversity programs that conservatives argue are discriminatory.
How have students and faculty responded to changes on campus?
Students and faculty have responded with outrage and resistance. Many have expressed disappointment and frustration at the changes, which they see as attacks on their campus communities and values. Others have vowed to continue fighting for their rights and pushing back against the changes.
What can be done to protect diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses?
Students, faculty, and administrators can work together to protect diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses. This includes advocating for policies that support underrepresented students, promoting a culture of inclusion and respect, and pushing back against attacks on campus communities.
