Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives play an instrumental role in society, providing a framework to address inequities in various aspects of American life; however, with President Trump’s recent signature of an executive order ending DEI, questions have been raised about the future of higher education, particularly at RIT.
Reporter was granted access to President David Munson’s email to faculty members on January 23. Circulated two days after the executive order’s implementation, Munson’s email underscores the drastic impacts of the policy.
“We are writing to make you aware of an Executive Order (EO) signed by U.S. President Trump, which states that, effective immediately, all recipients of federal financial assistance awards must cease all activities related to DEI or ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) under their federal awards (grants and contracts),” Munson wrote.
On a university level, DEI programs encourage student enrollment from historically underrepresented communities and provide resources to ensure timely graduation. For instance, Deaf students enter RIT with accommodations — such as interpreting and captioning — to help them thrive in classes. Yet President Trump and the White House view DEI programs as a waste of resources. The history of diversity initiatives in America offers insights into how this proposed federal policy could affect RIT and its current DEI programs.
How DEI Programs Were Created
DEI programs trace their origins to President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s signature of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which strove to end discrimination based on gender, race, religion, and national origin — as well as Public Law 89-36 the following year, which created the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
In the next few decades, the passage of landmark federal policy shaped universities’ commitment to DEI programs. With the passage of Title IX in 1972 — making gender-based discrimination illegal — universities became more accessible to women. Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, affirmed equal access for people with disabilities and created policies to assist students with disabilities on campuses. DEI programs were also created to address racial inequity. After George Floyd died in 2020, universities reckoned with systemic racism in academic institutions, expanding DEI programs as a result.
By preventing universities from using federal funding to finance DEI programs, President Trump could stall growing trends of inclusivity on American campuses.
Why Are DEI Programs Being Targeted?
Opponents of DEI programs and policies argue they overcorrect discriminatory practices in universities and businesses. The executive order operates under a similar view, suggesting that DEI is “illegal, pernicious discrimination that has prioritized how people were born instead of what they were capable of doing.”
Furthermore, the executive order expresses the view that DEI contradicts the ideals of the American Dream.
“These illegal DEI and DEIA policies also threaten the safety of American men, women, and children across the nation by diminishing the importance of individual merit, aptitude, hard work, and determination when selecting people for jobs and services in key sectors of American society,” the executive order reads.
However, the reality in America contrasts with the picture the executive order portrays. Research by McKinsey & Company found that companies with more diversity are more likely to outperform their competitors socially and financially. Similarly, a 2013 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students who attend more diverse universities earn 5% more than those who attend less diverse schools.
According to a memo from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), DEI-related research programs will be terminated immediately. Further communication from the Trump administration will clarify what steps they expect universities to take, but the memo hints there is much more to come.
The DOL memo also ordered an immediate end to federal financial assistance awards linked to DEI. The memo vaguely noted that the U.S. Department of Labor would “issue further guidance on specific activities that are allowable and unallowable.”
How Will RIT Be Impacted?
It remains to be seen how RIT will respond to the executive order, with current policies creating uncertainty in moving forward.
“It will be prudent to delay our immediate reaction and response to future rulings until we understand how the various federal agencies will implement the regulations,” Munson expressed.
The future of federally funded DEI programs at RIT — including the U-Rise Fellowship, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and Native American Future Stewards (FSP) — is up in the air. These programs encourage disadvantaged students to pursue STEM. However, if the executive order is fully implemented, these organizations could be in jeopardy.
Regarding the memo ending DEI-related research, RIT researchers will continue to work on projects and develop proposals unless told otherwise. The university expects to hear back from federal agencies in 60 days about the next courses of action.
Federal agencies will also review DEI/DEIA initiatives established at RIT and order termination as established by the executive order.
Ultimately, the executive order represents a turning point for DEI initiatives nationwide, and its implementation will likely reshape higher education policies across the country. At RIT, the future of DEI programs is similarly uncertain. Historically, DEI programs have been used as a tool to promote rights for women, the BIPOC community, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups. With the executive order leaving DEI programs in flux, it is clear that universities are not immune to political polarization in Trump’s America.
