University of Cincinnati to dismantle DEI policies in wake of Trump administration order
The University of Cincinnati plans to dismantle its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, also known as DEI, by the end of February to comply with Trump administration directives, according to a statement from the school.
President Neville G. Pinto announced the decision to the university's community in a letter Friday. He added the university had already begun taking steps to ensure compliance.
"As you are no doubt aware," the letter reads, "the federal government has effectively outlawed DEI programs and practices within government entities, including public universities nationwide."
The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights sent a letter on Feb. 14 to schools, including UC, warning universities that if they utilize "race-based decision-making," they face the potential loss of federal funding.
The letter follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 21 to terminate DEI programs and principles in the federal government. The order applies to the federal workforce, federal contracting and spending, according to CNN.
Pinto said in his letter that "given the extent to which our university, like most educational institutions, relies on federal funding," it is not possible to ignore the directives and still operate.
The Office of Civil Rights' letter said universities must comply by Feb. 28.
UC leaders have begun meeting to discuss initial steps. According to Pinto's letter, university leaders have started evaluating jobs related to DEI, as well as existing DEI programming and initiatives.
The university has also begun removing references to DEI principles on its website and social media, the letter reads. This work is a departure from decades of established DEI practices in academia, it adds.
According to the letter, the university has "little choice" but to follow the administration's directives. However, the university will also continue to work through state and federal Government Relations channels to "support policies that honor the mission of public higher education."
"We are committed to meet both our compliance obligations and our mission to provide a supportive learning and working environment where all are welcome," Pinto wrote. He added the university will share updates as more information becomes available.
Several hours after UC's announcement, a federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked Trump from implementing bans on DEI programs at federal agencies and by businesses that contract with the federal government, according to a report from Reuters. It is not immediately clear whether universities are included.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: University of Cincinnati to end DEI policies in wake of Trump order
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