Trump administration takes aim at college DEI policies

By Caleb Tobin

Stonehill College reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive and non-discriminatory learning environment in a community-wide email from Father John Denning, C.S.C.

The message was sent to the Stonehill community on Feb. 21 after the Department of Education sent a Dear Colleague Letter to colleges and universities receiving federal funds. The letter outlined the Trump administration's interpretation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The letter accused educational institutions of discriminating against white and Asian students and "smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline."

The letter gave schools 14 days to reevaluate their diversity and inclusion policies or risk losing federal funding.

Denning said the College will not be changing any programs for now.

"If we must consider any changes, the College will not deviate from our commitment to inclusion, equal opportunity, academic enrichment, and non-discriminatory policies," he said in the email.

Denning also said Stonehill remains committed to its Catholic values, upholding "the inherent dignity of each person," and will continue the College's mission of educating the whole person.

The Dear Colleague Letter is the latest effort by the Trump administration to get rid of DEI policies across the country, which the administration views as discriminatory.

Trump signed an executive order shortly after taking office mandating the termination of DEI programs in the federal government. He has also sought to end federal support of DEI programs, including cutting grants and funding for schools that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

On Feb 21., U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson issued a preliminary injunction pausing parts of Trump's executive orders related to DEI, ruling that the orders are too vague and could potentially violate people's free-speech rights under the First Amendment.