Trump's DEI Crackdown
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Federal Funding and University Deals
The Trump administration has made significant moves to reshape higher education, particularly concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Recently, Brown University reached a $50 million agreement with the administration to restore its federal funding (cnn.com). This deal follows a similar arrangement made with Columbia University, signaling a broader strategy by the administration.
The agreement with Brown University involves several key components. All frozen grants from the Department of Health and Human Services will be restored, and the university's eligibility for future funding will be reinstated (cnn.com). Furthermore, all pending investigations into the university will be closed. In return, Brown has agreed to dismantle certain DEI programs and to “not engage in unlawful racial discrimination in admissions or university programming” (cnn.com). The university will also provide the federal government with access to relevant data to ensure compliance. Additionally, Brown pledged $50 million over a decade to state workforce development organizations in Rhode Island (foxnews.com).
Brown University's Stance
Brown's President, Christina Paxson, stated that the deal was voluntary and preserves the university's core mission (cnn.com). She emphasized that the agreement does not grant the government authority to dictate curriculum or academic speech. The university's foremost priority throughout discussions was to remain true to its academic mission and core values (pbs.org). The agreement explicitly states that the federal government will not interfere with what professors teach, and Brown will maintain its academic freedom (bostonglobe.com).
However, critics argue that the concessions made, particularly regarding DEI and gender-related policies, could indirectly impact academic freedom and curriculum autonomy. The agreement also includes a provision that Brown will no longer perform gender reassignment surgeries or prescribe puberty blockers to minors. This specific measure has raised concerns among some students and alumni, who view it as disrespectful to transgender students (bostonglobe.com).
The Columbia Precedent
This agreement with Brown University marks the second major deal the Trump administration has struck with an elite university concerning federal funding and DEI initiatives. Just last week, the administration reached a $221 million settlement with Columbia University (cnn.com). This settlement also involved Columbia agreeing to dismantle DEI initiatives and end race-based admissions. Columbia also agreed to pay a $200 million fine to the federal government and another $21 million to settle an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The Columbia settlement was reportedly intended as a template for discussions with other colleges (insidehighered.com). This suggests that the terms and conditions imposed on Columbia and Brown could serve as a roadmap for future settlements with other institutions facing similar federal scrutiny (lowellsun.com). Harvard University is currently in ongoing talks with the Trump administration and faces legal challenges regarding its federal funding. Over $2 billion in federal funding has been frozen due to alleged failures to condemn harassment of Jewish students (abcnews.go.com).
Targeting DEI Programs
The Trump administration's actions are part of a broader effort to target DEI programs and address alleged antisemitism on college campuses. The administration has announced investigations into over 100 universities related to their policies on DEI, transgender students, students with disabilities, disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts, and alleged antisemitism following student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza (vox.com). This pronounced focus on DEI initiatives has led to several people losing their jobs, countless schools shuttering their DEI departments, and some even pulling back from the long-held tradition of affinity graduations.
President Trump celebrated the Brown deal on Truth Social, stating, “Woke is officially DEAD at Brown” (foxnews.com). Education Secretary Linda McMahon also praised the deal, calling it a step towards reversing “the decades-long woke-capture of our nation’s higher education institutions.” These statements highlight the administration's ideological stance against what it perceives as “woke” ideologies in higher education.
Impact on Admissions and Data Access
A significant aspect of these agreements involves changes to university admissions practices. Both Brown and Columbia have agreed to end race-based admissions, aligning with the Supreme Court's decision prohibiting the consideration of race in admissions. Brown has agreed to provide access to “all relevant data and information to rigorously assess compliance with its commitment to merit-based admissions” (whitehouse.gov). While the agreement specifies data access for compliance, the publicly available information does not explicitly detail the specific types of data, how privacy will be protected, or the exact mechanisms for its use. This lack of detail raises questions about student privacy and the extent of federal oversight.
The administration's focus on “merit-based admissions” implies a shift away from holistic review processes that might consider a broader range of factors, including an applicant's background and experiences. For Black and brown students, this could make it harder to gain admission to elite institutions. The emphasis on data submission suggests a new era of federal scrutiny over university admissions, potentially impacting how institutions recruit and select their student bodies.
Financial Commitments and Workforce Development
Brown University's pledge of $50 million over ten years to state workforce development organizations in Rhode Island is another key component of the agreement (foxnews.com). These organizations must comply with anti-discrimination laws. While the agreement specifies the total amount and duration, it does not provide detailed information on the specific allocation of these funds, the intended beneficiaries, or the precise monitoring mechanisms beyond the requirement for the organizations to comply with anti-discrimination laws (whitehouse.gov). Unlike Columbia, which paid a significant fine to the federal government, Brown's financial commitment is directed towards state-level initiatives (bostonglobe.com).
This investment in workforce development is framed as supporting regional economic growth and career opportunities. However, the lack of specific details about how these funds will be allocated and monitored leaves room for questions about their effectiveness and impact. It remains to be seen how these funds will directly benefit the communities they are intended to serve, particularly in terms of addressing systemic inequalities in employment and economic opportunity.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
Critics argue that these settlements, even with well-resourced institutions like Ivy League schools, compromise academic freedom and dialogue throughout higher education (vox.com). The concern is that less-resourced schools are likely to follow suit, facing immense pressure to comply with federal demands to avoid losing crucial funding. The agreement with Brown, following Columbia, is seen by the government as a “roadmap for other universities” (lowellsun.com). This suggests that the terms and conditions imposed on these elite institutions could become a template for future settlements with other universities facing similar federal scrutiny.
Less-resourced institutions might find it more challenging to absorb the financial and operational changes required by such agreements, especially if they involve significant payments or overhauls of existing programs. The Trump administration has been pressuring universities, particularly Ivy League schools, on issues including antisemitism on campus, discrimination in admissions and hiring, academic rigor, and a lack of viewpoint diversity (insurancejournal.com). This broad pressure campaign could lead to widespread changes across the higher education landscape, potentially impacting the diversity of thought and experience on college campuses nationwide.
The “Woke” Debate
The term “woke” has become a politically charged label used by the Trump administration to describe policies and programs they oppose, particularly those related to DEI. President Trump's declaration that “Woke is officially DEAD at Brown” highlights the administration's intent to dismantle these initiatives. This rhetoric frames DEI efforts as something negative or extreme, rather than as attempts to foster inclusivity and address historical inequalities.
For many in the Black community, DEI programs are essential for creating more equitable educational environments and opportunities. The dismantling of these programs could reverse decades of progress in making higher education more accessible and representative. The administration's focus on “woke-capture” suggests a belief that universities have been unduly influenced by progressive ideologies, leading to policies that they deem discriminatory or harmful.
Antisemitism and Campus Climate
The agreements also touch upon the issue of antisemitism on college campuses. Brown agreed to make its campus more hospitable for Jewish students, which some interpret as potentially silencing criticism of Israel. The Trump administration has announced investigations into over 100 universities related to alleged antisemitism following student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza (vox.com). This focus on antisemitism comes amidst heightened tensions on campuses regarding geopolitical events.
While addressing antisemitism is crucial, critics worry that these actions could be used to suppress free speech and academic discourse, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The balance between protecting students from harassment and upholding academic freedom remains a complex challenge for universities. The administration's intervention in these matters adds another layer of complexity, potentially influencing how universities manage campus protests and discussions on sensitive topics.
Looking Ahead: The Future of DEI
The agreements with Brown and Columbia universities represent a significant shift in the relationship between the federal government and higher education institutions. The Trump administration's aggressive stance against DEI programs and its willingness to use federal funding as leverage signal a new era for universities. The impact of these changes will likely be felt across the entire higher education system, affecting admissions, curriculum, and campus culture.
For Black and brown students, faculty, and staff, these developments raise concerns about the future of diversity and inclusion in academia. The push to dismantle DEI initiatives could lead to a less equitable and less representative educational landscape. As other universities face similar pressures, the broader implications for academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the pursuit of social justice in higher education will continue to unfold.
University Settlement Amounts
What is DEI?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): These programs aim to promote fair treatment and full participation for all people, especially those from groups that have been historically underrepresented or subject to discrimination. Diversity focuses on recognizing and valuing differences among individuals. Equity seeks to ensure fair access, opportunity, and advancement for all, while striving to eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Inclusion creates an environment where all individuals feel welcome, respected, and supported.
Federal Funding Status of Universities
Brown University
Status: Funding restored. Agreement reached to dismantle DEI programs and provide data access. Pledged $50 million to state workforce development.
Columbia University
Status: Funding restored. Agreement reached to dismantle DEI initiatives, end race-based admissions, and pay $221 million in settlements.
Harvard University
Status: Over $2 billion in federal funding frozen. Ongoing talks with the Trump administration regarding alleged failures to condemn antisemitism.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
