Latest news with #DePauw
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana AG: Butler, DePauw universities' DEI policy may violate law, warrant legal action
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warned Butler University and DePauw University that he may take legal action that could complicate their nonprofit tax-exempt status if he finds their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies could violate state and federal law. In letters sent to the university presidents May 28, Rokita argued the institution's DEI-friendly policies could constitute racial discrimination and violate civil rights laws. Both Butler and DePauw still list DEI as priorities within their strategic plans. Rokita largely pointed to those goals and adjoining policies as the basis for his letters. In those plans, the universities say they seek to attract more diverse faculty and staff, provide improved support to those communities and build a campus promoting DEI principles. "Hoosiers are rightfully concerned that some education institutions treat students, faculty, staff and others differently based on race under the guise of DEI or other," Rokita said in a release. The colleges have until June 27 to respond to Rokita's letter with answers to his questions and requested data. Whether he takes further action, he said in a news release, depends on the colleges' responses and if they are following a "legal and moral commitment to racial equality." Several of Indiana's public universities have shuttered its DEI programs to comply with new state and federal anti-DEI mandates. So far, that includes Indiana University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University. Rokita also sent a similar May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law. Rokita said the university must respond with requested materials by June 9. Neither the Attorney General's Office nor the university have responded to IndyStar requests for an update. If a university doesn't comply, his letters threaten challenges to the institution's nonprofit status. However, the Internal Revenue Service, if it chooses, would still need to investigate and decide to revoke a school's tax-exempt status. President Donald Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard University's nonprofit status, which the university claims is illegal, if it does not conform to his demands. DePauw President Lori White has also previously been vocally supportive of such policies, which Rokita criticizes in his letter. In May 2023, White was one of 27 liberal arts college presidents to sign a letter stating they intend to continue prioritizing inclusive policies following the Supreme Court's decision to make race-conscious admissions illegal. "It seems DePauw University may have met that moment and the Court's decision with evasion, circumvention, and obstruction, rather than a good faith desire to respect the civil rights of students and faculty," Rokita's letter reads. In a statement sent to IndyStar, DePauw said "we uphold high ethical standards and do not engage in unlawful discrimination in our admissions and hiring practices." Butler did not immediately respond to an IndyStar request for comment. Rokita largely leans on the the U.S. Supreme Court's Students for Fair Admissions decision, which barred universities from enrolling students using affirmative action. 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. Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@ or message her on Signal at @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: AG Rokita says Butler, DePauw DEI policies may violate law
Indianapolis Star
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana AG: Butler, DePauw universities' DEI policy may violate law, warrant legal action
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warned Butler University and DePauw University that he may take legal action that could complicate their nonprofit tax-exempt status if he finds their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies could violate state and federal law. In letters sent to the university presidents May 28, Rokita argued the institution's DEI-friendly policies could constitute racial discrimination and violate civil rights laws. Both Butler and DePauw still list DEI as priorities within their strategic plans. Rokita largely pointed to those goals and adjoining policies as the basis for his letters. In those plans, the universities say they seek to attract more diverse faculty and staff, provide improved support to those communities and build a campus promoting DEI principles. "Hoosiers are rightfully concerned that some education institutions treat students, faculty, staff and others differently based on race under the guise of DEI or other," Rokita said in a release. The colleges have until June 27 to respond to Rokita's letter with answers to his questions and requested data. Whether he takes further action, he said in a news release, depends on the colleges' responses and if they are following a "legal and moral commitment to racial equality." Several of Indiana's public universities have shuttered its DEI programs to comply with new state and federal anti-DEI mandates. So far, that includes Indiana University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University. Rokita also sent a similar May 9 letter to the University of Notre Dame requesting DEI information to ensure its compliance with federal and state law. Rokita said the university must respond with requested materials by June 9. Neither the Attorney General's Office nor the university have responded to IndyStar requests for an update. If a university doesn't comply, his letters threaten challenges to the institution's nonprofit status. However, the Internal Revenue Service, if it chooses, would still need to investigate and decide to revoke a school's tax-exempt status. President Donald Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard University's nonprofit status, which the university claims is illegal, if it does not conform to his demands. DePauw President Lori White has also previously been vocally supportive of such policies, which Rokita criticizes in his letter. In May 2023, White was one of 27 liberal arts college presidents to sign a letter stating they intend to continue prioritizing inclusive policies following the Supreme Court's decision to make race-conscious admission illegal. "It seems DePauw University may have met that moment and the Court's decision with evasion, circumvention, and obstruction, rather than a good faith desire to respect the civil rights of students and faculty," Rokita's letter reads. Rokita largely leans on the the U.S. Supreme Court's Students for Fair Admissions decision, which barred universities from enrolling students using affirmative action. 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.
Telegraph
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Shock win over Liverpool shows how far Aston Villa Women have fallen
The celebrations at full-time and the overwhelming sense of relief on the faces of Aston Villa's players is a sign of just how far this team has fallen. After six straight defeats in the Women's Super League, manager Natalia Arroyo finally has her first victory. It may be one that preserves their top flight status, but Villa should not have been in this mess to start with. Arroyo was hired in January following the sacking of Robert De Pauw, who had replaced Carla Ward in the summer. Villa had been steady under Ward, with fifth and seventh place finishes, and it was natural that there would be a period of upheaval. De Pauw was heavily backed in the summer transfer window, with the club spending £250,000 on Brazilian forward Gabi Nunes. FIFA's transfer report showed that only six clubs worldwide spent more than Villa on transfer fees in 2024. De Pauw had to wait until October for his first victory and he did not manage another before his dismissal. Shaun Goater was placed in temporary charge and oversaw a win, draw and defeat in his three league games before Arroyo's appointment. The Spaniard, who had spent four years in charge of Real Sociedad, has found it extremely difficult since arriving in England. Defeat against Crystal Palace earlier this month had seen the gap between Villa and the relegation place narrow to one point and last week Arroyo admitted she was 'scared' by the possibility of dropping into the Championship. This squad is far too good to go down and their struggles have not been down to a lack of investment. De Pauw, who was understood to be unpopular with some players, was clearly the wrong appointment. The jury is still out on Arroyo but she perhaps needs a full pre-season to get her ideas across and comes across well in interviews. 'It's been hard because I consider myself a brave coach,' Arroyo said. 'A coach that needs this kind of confidence of the players to try and press as high as possible, to be aggressive, to try and have the ball. 'When your confidence is not high, it's more difficult to ask them to do that. I was trying to put my identity on the team but understanding the moments where we were a little bit lost. 'Today especially I see a team that I recognise as my team so it's a good starting point.' Her side needed a helping hand from a poor Liverpool team to get their first league win this year but deserve credit for the way they fought back from 1-0 down in the second half. It had looked as though Marie Hobinger's 57th-minute penalty, which was a mess of Villa's own making, was going to condemn them to a 12th defeat in 18 games. But after Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws came for and missed a hopeful long ball from Missy Bo Kearns, Kirsty Hanson levelled with a finish from a tight angle - just two minutes after she had been brought off the bench. There was only one side that looked like winning after that and Villa perhaps deserved the slice of luck they got when Jenna Clark converted Ebony Salmon's cross into her own net. A DELIGHTFUL FINISH FROM @KirstyHanson3 🌟 An instant impact off the bench 👊 #BarclaysWSL @AVWFCOfficial — Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 30, 2025 Villa then had to see out nine minutes of stoppage time but Liverpool barely threatened. 'These last weeks we were feeling like we were fighting and fighting and never getting anything,' Arroyo said. 'But the players were believing until the end and fighting for it.' Villa just need to get to the end of the season and reassess ahead of the next campaign. Liverpool, meanwhile, have an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea to come after the international break but they will need to be a lot better than what they showed here to have any chance of getting through. After three straight wins, which included knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup and beating Manchester Untied 3-0, it appears the honeymoon period under interim boss Amber Whiteley may be over. While they were missing key player Olivia Smith due to injury, Liverpool created little and looked bereft of ideas going forward. Whiteley has shown her potential as a manager but if she is to be given this job on a permanent basis then Liverpool must give her the resources to compete. Both Villa and Liverpool will have some reflecting to do on disappointing league campaigns come the summer.
