Higher Education under Trump: A New Era of Change

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, colleges and universities are preparing for significant shifts in their policies and programs. Many institutions, especially those in red states, are dismantling their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move is seen by both conservative and liberal politicians as a potential blueprint for the rest of the country. Already, dozens of DEI programs have been shut down in states like Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Lessons on racial and gender identity have been phased out, and resources for underrepresented students have vanished. Some students are even considering leaving their campuses due to the changes in the campus climate. Trump's campaign promise to end "wokeness" and "leftist indoctrination" in education has sparked this backlash. He threatened to dismantle diversity programs he deems discriminatory and impose fines on colleges that could match their entire endowment.The impact is being felt on campuses across the country. Safe areas for LGBTQ+ and Black students are being closed, and minority-focused events are being canceled. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a law preventing state funding for colleges that promote "divisive concepts" over race and gender. The law also requires students to use bathrooms aligned with their birth gender. Critics worry that these changes will harm the most marginalized students. They fear that the protections designed to help these students could be turned against them. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, which traditionally investigates discrimination against people of color, could start probing diversity programs seen as discriminatory by conservatives.