Nearly ten years ago, the University of Missouri was rocked by protests over racial injustice. The uproar led to the resignation of top officials and the appointment of the first vice chancellor for diversity. Students, including football players and a hunger-striking graduate student, were at the heart of the protests. Fast forward to today, the university’s diversity office is gone. It’s a sign of a much bigger trend unfolding in conservative states.
Students are worried. They fear for the future of higher education under Trump’s influence. Politicians from both sides agree that what’s happening in these states might set a national precedent.
Diversity programs disappear across conservative states
Across states like Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, diversity programs are shutting down. Initiatives focusing on racial and gender identity are being sidelined. Support for marginalized groups is disappearing. Some students are even considering dropping out.
Trump’s war on “wokeness”
Trump’s campaign focused on ending “wokeness” and “leftist indoctrination” in schools. He promised to dismantle diversity efforts and punish colleges that don’t comply, potentially risking their endowments.
Conservatives are backing him. Erec Smith from the Cato Institute argues that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs push the idea that “whiteness is oppression.” This, he believes, takes away agency from minorities.
Florida leads the say: DeSantis takes action
Florida is leading the charge. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the New College of Florida has gone from progressive to conservative. In 2023, DeSantis overhauled the school’s board, bringing in allies like Christopher Rufo. Faculty left, and conservative figures, including British comedian Andrew Doyle, are now teaching at the school.
A clear message: the shift is just beginning
DeSantis and Rufo’s book makes it clear: this is just the beginning. While Trump’s critics say his fears about liberal indoctrination are overblown, conservatives argue that the dismantling of DEI programs and the student debt crisis show how out of touch higher education is with the real world.
Alabama’s new law: restricting funding for DEI
In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey took action. She signed a law cutting state funds for public colleges that push what she calls “divisive concepts,” like racial or gender guilt. The law also forces people to use restrooms corresponding to their assigned gender at birth. This new law has already made waves. At the University of Alabama and Auburn University, DEI offices and LGBTQ+ spaces were shut down. Auburn graduate student Dakota Grimes was disappointed by the closure of the campus Pride Center. Although some groups still meet in the library, the atmosphere has turned hostile, leaving LGBTQ+ students feeling unsafe.
Hispanic heritage month funding pulled at University of Alabama
At the University of Alabama, political science major Julia Dominguez was upset when funding for Hispanic Heritage Month was pulled just before the event. Despite this setback, Dominguez is determined to keep going. “We are still here,” she said. “It’s harder now, but we won’t let it steal our joy.”
Idaho’s anti-DEI legislation: a step further
Meanwhile, in Idaho, DEI programs have faced intense backlash from Republican lawmakers. The state recently banned the use of taxpayer funds for these initiatives. Colleges are also prohibited from using written diversity statements in hiring and admissions.
The University of Idaho is feeling the impact. Doctoral candidate Nick Koenig, who moved to Idaho to study climate change, is now considering leaving. “Where do your true values lie?” he questioned. “It’s not with the students who are most marginalized.”
Federal changes on the horizon?
While these changes are primarily driven by state governments, experts like Jeremy Young from PEN America expect more to come at the federal level. Young predicts that under Trump, the Department of Education could revise research grant criteria and scrutinize diversity programs even more.
Political influence on course offerings
As universities reevaluate what’s working and what’s not, the role of politics in shaping course offerings remains unclear. For now, students like Kenny Douglas feel the shift in the air. He remembers how the protests at Missouri sparked change. But now, that progress seems to be fading. Recently, a student group had to rename their “Welcome Black BBQ” to be more inclusive. The Legion of Black Collegians, however, criticized this move, feeling it erased their visibility.
The fight for diversity is far from over
For Douglas, the fight for civil rights and diversity isn’t over. “White people might have moved past it, but Black people are still experiencing it,” he said. And as more states follow suit, the future of higher education remains uncertain. The battle for diversity is far from finished.
