Campus mentors, move-in events, scholarships, and diversity offices have long been the pillars of support for students of color on predominantly white campuses. However, as U.S. colleges scale back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, many of these resources are diminishing. The full impact of these DEI rollbacks is unfolding as colleges adhere to the Trump administration’s directives against such diversity initiatives. Some students have already noticed early reductions eroding the community sense that facilitated their access to higher education.
The retreat from DEI practices has been a gradual process, largely fueled by Republican-led states instructing public colleges to eliminate DEI offices and programs. This movement has intensified under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has threatened to cut federal funding. A significant escalation occurred when the administration suggested Harvard University should lose its nonprofit status for not complying with federal mandates, including the elimination of DEI practices.
At the University of Michigan, this shift has resulted in the closure of the DEI office and the cessation of a campus-wide inclusion plan. Orientation events for new Latino, Arab, and Asian American students, along with the LEAD Scholars program—a financial aid initiative for Black, Latino, and Native American students—are among the casualties. For students like Breeana-Iris Rosario, who grew up in a low-income area of Detroit, winning a scholarship solidified her decision to attend Michigan. She fears the loss of these programs could increase feelings of isolation among Hispanic students, who comprise 6% of the undergraduate population.
In February, the Education Department issued a memo directing schools to remove race from considerations in hiring, admissions, housing, financial aid, and student life decisions, warning that non-compliance could result in loss of federal funding. Numerous universities have since come under investigation, with the Trump administration freezing significant funding for institutions like Harvard, accused of defying orders regarding campus antisemitism and transgender athletes.
Michigan was among the first to institute major DEI rollbacks, with other colleges following suit to avoid federal scrutiny. Some have rebranded DEI offices to comply, while others remain steadfast in their support. Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, for instance, cited federal orders when it decided to close its DEI office, replacing it with an Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement. The specifics of this new office remain unclear, although the university relies on approximately $250 million annually in federal research funding.
At Case, the DEI office served as a vital resource for students like Justen Pippens, a junior who found solace and guidance there. He expressed concern over whether familiar staff members will remain employed in the new office, as the university halts events like Envision Weekend, which catered to underrepresented students. Pippens and other Black students, who account for just 6% of undergraduates, lament the loss of central support systems.
In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin hailed a decision by the University of Virginia’s governing board to end DEI programs, framing it as a move toward merit-based opportunities. However, students have reported reductions in scholarships and programs geared toward minority students, sparking concerns over whether their identities and voices are valued.
The federal campaign against DEI faces legal challenges from critics who argue the lack of clarity regarding prohibited practices leaves schools uncertain about what constitutes DEI. Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, noted the directives’ vagueness allows opponents to disproportionately influence the outcome.
Advocates against DEI continue to urge the White House to intensify its efforts. Christopher Rufo, a conservative strategist, contends that DEI violates the Civil Rights Act and calls for stringent measures against publicly funded institutions practicing DEI.
In Michigan, the rollbacks also target programs designed to maintain racial diversity following the state’s 2006 affirmative action ban, including the LEAD program. University officials have pledged to explore alternative support methods, such as expanding scholarships for low-income students. Although LEAD scholarship recipients, like Rosario, have been assured their financial aid remains unaffected, the broader implications concern her. As the first in her family to attend college, she worries about the barriers these cuts could create for future students of color.
