Indiana University closes DEI office to comply with Trump-inspired mandates
Indiana University is shuttering its diversity, equity and inclusion office in response to new state and federal mandates targeting DEI-aligned polices, programs and entities.
All nine of IU's campuses are expected to be in compliance with state and federal policies, the announcement said, and the university is directing all campuses, schools and units to take steps to do so.
"IU will continue to affirm its fundamental goal of ensuring every student is equipped to thrive — in the classroom and after graduation," the university said in an May 22 announcement.
IU joins Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University as the latest university to eliminate its DEI presence on campus, citing new executive orders and legislation.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita also sent a May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law.
IU's Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion previously offered scholarships, sought to recruit and retain diverse students and faculty, and provided on-campus resources and development.
The office will sunset effective May 22, but a timeline was not provided.
Some of its student programs and centers will be shifted into different offices and available to all students, according to the announcement. Academic advising, engagement and student well-being efforts and resources will continue to be provided, the announcement said.
IU did not answer IndyStar questions regarding potential layoffs, dismantled programs and status of scholarships. IU spokesperson Mark Bode instead directed the Star to the earlier announcement.
The office was first established in 1999 "to cultivate a diverse, inclusive environment that supports equal access, participation, and representation" on each IU campus, according to the former website.
The Office of Institutional Equity was also renamed the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. The change, IU said in its announcement, better reflects the office's work.
The body is responsible for handling complaints about possible violations of federal rights law in relation to harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct.
While on the campaign trail, President Donald Trump rallied his Republican base in part around an anti-DEI platform that he says is 'illegal and radical."
Since taking office, Trump has stripped diversity practices and efforts out of the federal government, and his administration has begun focusing its anti-DEI efforts on higher education and the private sector.
Gov. Mike Braun has done the same in Indiana. On his second full day in office, he signed an executive order to remove DEI initiatives and policies from state government, including closing the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity created by then-Gov. Holcomb in 2020.
Braun also signed a bill into law May 6 to allow individuals to sue publicly funded schools or government entities for DEI policies and programs. Senate Enrolled Act 289 prohibits public institutions from taking actions based on an individual's "personal characteristic," such as race, religion, color and sex.
The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
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