Simply renaming or rebranding diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives will not appease a White House whose anti-DEI agenda is already having ¡°grave impacts¡± on campuses, scholars have warned.

Since taking office, Donald Trump has repeatedly?restricted ¡°woke¡± research funding, banned diversity initiatives and used attacks on ¡°ridiculous¡±?DEI policies to win concessions out of elite institutions.

Brown University reached an agreement with the White House last week that will reinstate nearly $50 million (?37 million) in research funding and end several federal investigations. Part of the agreement requires ensuring that Brown¡¯s programmes ¡°do not promote unlawful DEI goals¡±.

Paulette Granberry Russell, president and chief executive of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, said universities have been re-evaluating programmes, staffing and initiatives ¡°out of fear of political, financial, or legal repercussions¡±.

ÍøÆØÃÅ

¡°This uncertainty can weaken institutions¡¯ ability to address systemic inequities and foster inclusive campus cultures. Instead of focusing on building supportive communities where every student can thrive, administrators are forced to divert time and resources to navigate shifting political pressures.¡±

She said the?¡°ripple effects¡± of these political actions?can already be seen for students ¨C fewer resources for those from historically underrepresented backgrounds and a reduced sense of belonging on campus. And staff who work in these areas face increased scrutiny and job insecurity, she added.

ÍøÆØÃÅ

¡°Ultimately, these political manoeuvres risk reversing decades of progress toward educational access and opportunity for all students.¡±

In a further blow to diversity work, the Department of Justice recently declared that DEI practices in all sectors are unlawful and ¡°discriminatory¡±.

Darby Saxbe, professor of psychology at the University of Southern California, said the backlash was having a ¡°chilling effect¡± across the sector and hurting morale.

¡°The administration has not provided a clear definition of what they mean by DEI, so many universities that are afraid of losing their funding are choosing to comply in advance by cancelling initiatives and programmes that were benefiting students.¡±

Campus resource: Faculty must stand together to confront the American illiberal peril

In July, the Education Department launched an investigation into George Mason University over its efforts to promote diversity. A number of institutions, including the University of Michigan, have already closed their DEI offices entirely, while others have tried a more subtle approach.

ÍøÆØÃÅ

Harvard University,?which is still locked in a dispute with the president,?renamed its department ¡°Community and Campus Life¡±.

However, Russell said: ¡°Renaming an office has not proven sufficient in appeasing those who are attempting to dismantle efforts to create a level playing field in higher education.¡±

And Amna Khalid, an associate professor of history at Carleton College in Minnesota, said any word or any term can be ¡°weaponised and demonised¡±.

ÍøÆØÃÅ

¡°So, if it¡¯s DEI today, tomorrow it¡¯ll become ¡®community and belonging¡¯ for those who are trying to attack these things, so I don¡¯t know how far this cycle will go.¡±

Although she was a critic of the DEI model in higher education, Khalid said Trump¡¯s actions towards the ¡°bogeyman¡± of DEI have already had ¡°very grave impacts¡± and have set the precedent for further state interference.

¡°It makes higher education into a political football and then there¡¯s no end to this.

¡°I think we¡¯re on a very, very steep slope down and¡­we¡¯re definitely well into the beginning of the decline of American higher education.¡±

ÍøÆØÃÅ

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com