The Trump Administration announced on Apr. 6 that hundreds of colleges and universities have eliminated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts from their campuses. The announcement said these changes are part of a broader shift in the culture of higher education institutions.
The topic is significant as it addresses ongoing debates about the role of DEI initiatives in academic settings, admissions practices, hiring processes, and student life at American colleges and universities.
According to the announcement, over 300 institutions have removed DEI requirements for admission, employment, scholarship awards, and other areas. The statement also said more than 45 colleges and universities have taken down DEI statements or messaging from programs or websites. At least 15 institutions reportedly stopped using diversity statements when hiring faculty or staff. In addition, at least 95 schools have either eliminated faculty and staff positions related to DEI or reassigned those employees to new roles. The statement added that at least 175 colleges and universities restructured or closed their DEI offices or centers.
The press release listed several prominent schools as examples where these changes took place: Harvard University; Ohio State University; Northwestern University; Purdue University; Rutgers University; Stanford University; the University of Iowa; the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor; Vanderbilt University; the University of Southern California; the University of Pennsylvania; various campuses within the University of California System including UCLA; and schools within the University of North Carolina System.
Other developments mentioned include revisions by The College Board to its National Recognition Program criteria—moving from race-based scholarships toward merit-based recognition—and cancellations by several colleges in 2025 of affinity graduation ceremonies for specific groups. Institutions such as Harvard, Maricopa Community Colleges, Kentucky, Louisville, Notre Dame, Wichita State, and Virginia Tech were named among those making such changes.
Additionally, according to the announcement text released by administration officials on Apr. 6: “31 institutions of higher education agreed to cease their partnerships with the Ph.D. Project,” which was described as violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
