Universities react to Department of Education’s DEI ban

Universities across the U.S. have started assessing, eliminating or advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion. The decision to remove language and practices involving DEI stems from a “Dear Colleague" letter released by the U.S. Department of Education.

As previously reported by The Northern Light, the University of Alaska Board of Regents directed chancellors on Feb. 21 to remove DEI-related language from university communications and websites, and change operations and programs to align with federal guidance related to DEI.

University of Alaska chancellors have been delegated to monitor and amend university websites and other material to “no longer refer to ‘affirmative action,’ ‘DEI’ nor utilize the words ‘diversity,’ ‘equity,’ ‘inclusion,’ or other associated terms.”

According to an article by AP News, many colleges across the country are waiting to declare assessment and elimination of DEI-related language and practices, while others have taken a strong initiative to meet executive order requirements or oppose the Trump administration’s order.

‍The Daily Iowan reported that the University of Iowa Board of Regents followed a similar path to UAA. Iowa’s board president has said the university and its three satellite campuses are to begin removing DEI-related language from its websites, according to the article.

According to The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University is attempting to stay neutral in their decision to keep or assess DEI practices until it and the federal government are able to determine which executive orders are binding. 

‍The Daily Pennsylvanian has reported the University of Pennsylvania has begun stripping DEI-related language from titles, organizations and programs, as well as the entirety of its central DEI webpage.

‍The University of Michigan published a letter to students, staff and faculty stating the university will begin to move forward with assessing and eliminating DEI-related offices.

The letter stated, “Conversations about these institutional efforts have been ongoing since at least 2023 and, with recent federal executive orders, guidance and funding cuts bringing urgency to the issue, we are moving forward with changes that will impact our community at the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine.”

This report is part of an investigative series on recent changes related to DEI at UAA and will be followed by additional coverage.