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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 19 February 2025

Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI

programs or risk losing federal money

By COLLIN BINKLEY universities are going to
AP Education Writer find themselves between
WASHINGTON (AP) — The a rock and a hard place,”
Trump administration is giv- Pérez said. “They know that
ing America’s schools and what they’re doing is not il-
universities two weeks to legal, but they are worried
eliminate diversity initia- that if they do not comply,
tives or risk losing federal not having federal funding
money, raising the stakes in will decimate them.”
the president’s fight against Some universities they ex-
“wokeness” and sow- pect little change. At Ore-
ing confusion as schools gon State University, a legal
scramble to comply. review concluded that its
In a memo Friday, the Edu- programs “are fully compli-
cation Department gave ant with all state and fed-
an ultimatum to stop us- eral laws,” according to
ing “racial preferences” a campus message from
as a factor in admissions, Rob Odom, vice president
financial aid, hiring or other of university relations and
areas. Schools are being marketing.
given 14 days to end any The department memo
practice that treats stu- appears to take aim at
dents or workers differently President Donald Trump waves from his vehicle as he arrives at the Trump International Golf Club, scholarships for students
because of their race. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Associated Press from certain racial back-
Educators at colleges na- grounds. There’s been legal
tionwide were rushing to debate about whether the
evaluate their risk and de- to have a chilling effect, stitutions may neither sepa- leges “from considering an Supreme Court decision ex-
cide whether to stand up pressuring schools to elimi- rate or segregate students applicant’s discussion of tends to financial aid, with
for practices they believe nate anything touching on based on race, nor dis- how race affected his or some schools and institu-
are legal. The sweeping the topic of race even if it tribute benefits or burdens her life,” though he warned tions deciding to scrap ra-
demand threatens to up- may be defensible in court. based on race,” it said. that colleges couldn’t use cial requirements for some
end all aspects of campus “Creating a sense of risk On Monday the Education essays as an indirect work- scholarships.
operations, from essays around doing work that Department announced around to consider stu- The National Association of
on college applications might promote diverse it also cut $600 million in dents’ race. Student Financial Aid Ad-
to classroom lessons and and welcoming campuses grants for organizations The memo also said it’s un- ministrators said there’s no
campus clubs. is much more of the goal that train teachers. The lawful for colleges to elimi- consensus on the question,
It’s meant to correct what than a clear statement of programs promoted “divi- nate standardized testing and the group is trying to
the memo described as existing law,” said Jona- sive” concepts like DEI, criti- requirements “to achieve understand how the memo
rampant discrimination in than Fansmith, senior vice cal race theory and social a desired racial balance or could affect student aid.
education, often against president of government justice activism, the depart- to increase racial diversity.” “The last thing students
white and Asian students. relations at the American ment said. Dozens of colleges across need when making plans
“Schools have been oper- Council on Education, an The new guidance seeks to the U.S. have dropped SAT about how to pay for col-
ating on the pretext that association of college pres- remove race from areas in- and ACT requirements in re- lege is uncertainty over
selecting students for ‘di- idents. cluding financial aid, hous- cent years, citing concerns when or whether they will re-
versity’ or similar euphe- The memo is an extension ing, graduation ceremo- the exams favor students ceive financial aid they’ve
misms is not selecting them of President Donald Trump’s nies, hiring and promotion. from high-income families. been relying on,” the group
based on race,” said Craig executive order banning It takes aim directly at col- Practices that have long said in a statement. The
Trainor, acting assistant diversity, equity and inclu- lege admissions, suggest- been commonplace could confusion around Trump’s
secretary for civil rights. “No sion programs. It reflects a ing colleges have sought to become legal liabilities, in- order was apparent at last
longer. Students should be change in the federal gov- work around the Supreme cluding recruiting in under- week’s confirmation hear-
assessed according to mer- ernment’s interpretation of Court’s decision. represented areas or buy- ing for education secretary
it, accomplishment and antidiscrimination laws. As College essays, for in- ing lists of potential students nominee Linda McMahon.
character.” legal justification, it cites stance, cannot be used to with certain academic and Asked whether classes on
The guidance drew sharp the 2023 Supreme Court predict a student’s race, demographic information, African American history
backlash from civil rights decision barring race as the guidance says. In the said Angel B. Pérez, CEO would run afoul of the pres-
groups and university a factor in college admis- Supreme Court decision, of the National Associa- ident’s order, McMahon
groups. Some believe its sions. Chief Justice John Roberts tion for College Admission said she wasn’t certain.q
vague language is meant “Put simply, educational in- said nothing prevents col- Counseling.“Colleges and