Universities Play Hide and Seek with DEI
Despite federal pushback, universities are finding innovative ways to maintain their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Some institutions are openly defiant, while others are subtly rebranding their offices to avoid scrutiny. A few are genuinely attempting to comply with new regulations.
Three Types of Schools
Nicole Neily, an activist, identifies three categories of schools:
- The Bold: Institutions like Princeton and Harvard that openly resist changes.
- The Sneaky: The most common type, which rebrands DEI offices with names like "belonging departments" but continues the same activities.
- The Compliant: Schools that are genuinely trying to follow the new rules.
Government Scrutiny and Hidden Efforts
Neily recently heard DEI advocates suggest that the government only focuses on big schools like Harvard and cannot sue everyone. She finds this attitude troubling and believes the government should uncover hidden DEI efforts, not just target the most obvious cases.
Fighting DEI at All Levels
Neily's group, Defending Education, sent a letter to all 50 states requesting a thorough check of K-12 laws to ensure schools aren't exploiting loopholes to keep DEI programs. She emphasizes the need for effort from all levels of government and encourages schools to take responsibility for their policies.
The Decline of DEI Popularity
Neily is hopeful that DEI is losing popularity. Many people are questioning the value of college, especially with rising costs and fewer international students. She believes this could lead to significant changes in higher education, with some schools even closing. Students are choosing schools that do not push "woke" ideologies, particularly in the South. Some Southern states are creating their own accreditation bodies to avoid "woke" influences.
