Universities Brace for Trump’s Crackdown on DEI Programs

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New Brunswick NJ, Universities across the U.S. are finding themselves at the center of former President Donald Trump’s escalating campaign against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. A recent executive order targets schools with endowments exceeding $1 billion, instructing federal institutions to investigate their DEI initiatives and report findings within 120 days.

With only a few hundred institutions meeting the endowment threshold, including Ivy League schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, experts warn that this is just the beginning of a larger battle.

Trump’s Executive Order: What It Means

The executive order mandates federal agencies, including the Department of Education and the Attorney General’s office, to identify “appropriate measures to encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI.”

On the campaign trail, Trump promised to dismantle DEI programs in higher education, but his focus on high-endowment institutions has raised questions. Critics argue this approach appears targeted at elite schools rather than addressing broader concerns.

“If your view is that these [programs] are discriminatory, I don’t know why you would confine yourself to only looking at the 60 or 80 or so institutions with a billion dollars in endowments,” said Jon Fansmith, senior VP of government relations at the American Council of Education.

Impact on Public and Private Institutions

While public universities in Republican-led states like Florida and Texas have already seen DEI bans, this order shifts the spotlight to private institutions. Experts suggest this could signal a significant expansion of scrutiny.

“Many higher education institutions have already rolled back DEI practices due to state legislation,” noted Katharine Meyer, a fellow at the Brown Center on Education Policy. “What’s notable here is the targeting of private institutions that haven’t been as affected by state-level changes.”

A Broader War Against “Woke” Institutions

This executive order aligns with Trump’s ongoing rhetoric against “woke” policies in education. He has previously proposed taxing the endowments of schools deemed overly progressive. Similarly, in 2023, Vice President J.D. Vance advocated for higher taxes on schools with endowments exceeding $10 billion.

Schools are cautiously assessing the implications. A spokesperson from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stated, “We are reviewing the news and working to understand the implications… MIT is committed to attracting the very best talent, supporting our diverse community, and complying with federal law.”

State-Level Momentum Against DEI

Republican states have ramped up efforts to curtail DEI initiatives. Florida was the first to ban DEI at public universities, with Texas and other states following suit. Lawmakers in Ohio and Iowa have proposed similar measures, some targeting private institutions.

What Comes Next?

It remains unclear whether Trump will follow up this investigation with additional executive orders or legislative proposals. However, experts agree this is unlikely to be his final action.

“I don’t think schools were necessarily surprised by the order,” said Scott Goldschmidt, a partner at Thompson Coburn’s Higher Education practice. “The devil is going to be in the details of what guidance the administration provides and how it plans to implement this.”

As the deadline for the investigation approaches, universities are preparing for potential legal and political battles to defend their DEI programs, making this a pivotal moment in the future of higher education policy.

 

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