DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, is arguably the hottest topic in U.S. politics right now. From parents, to legislators, to the President of the United States – everyone is talking about it.
The term ‘DEI’ is very broad. It’s used to refer to any kind of program or framework created to promote fair treatment and participation of all people, especially those of marginalized groups. DEI opposers claim the “inclusive” programs unfairly favors minorities and leads to “reverse discrimination”. On the contrary, DEI initiatives exist to level the playing field and ensure everyone has equal representation.
President Trump has been especially vocal about his disdain for DEI initiatives. On January 25, he signed an executive order called “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” which bans DEI programs within the federal government while introducing new constraints for federal contractors and subcontractors. Public universities that receive federal money, such as the University of South Carolina fall under this category and are subsequently advised to remove all diversity, equity and inclusion programs with the possibility of lawsuits and retraction of funding if they do not comply.
South Carolina bill H. 3927, also known as the “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-based Opportunity Act” would prohibit “differential treatment or special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation” and effectively ban any DEI program within South Carolina universities. This bill has passed the S.C. House of Representatives, but has yet to be voted on by the Senate.
It is unclear at this time what these DEI restrictions may lead to in the future. UofSC has many organizations that promote inclusion and equality that could be at risk under new DEI bans. The university has already removed the webpage for the Office of Democracy, Education, and Inclusivity which existed to help students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Another program that could potentially be in jeopardy is the Office of Access and Opportunity, which aims to create and maintain an inclusive and diverse campus environment. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs may also face trouble due to new restrictions. This program supports marginalized students by advocating for diversity issues and providing educational events to foster inclusivity.
Back in 2023, the supreme court ruled against the constitutionality of Affirmative Action, effectively banning the consideration of race in university admission throughout the United States. Affirmative Action was a set of policies enacted to help provide equal educational opportunities to students from underrepresented and marginalized communities. Other programs are still available to support underprivileged students in their educational journey, however their future remains uncertain in loom of these new restrictions. Programs such as race and gender-based scholarships could be completely eliminated.
The erasure and banning of DEI programs counteracts hundreds of years of efforts to provide equal access, opportunity, and representation to marginalized communities, especially in higher education. These restrictions could lead to devastating impacts on inclusive measures here at UofSC. The fate of DEI programs now lies in the hands of our lawmakers, but the impact will ultimately be felt by students on campus. The outcome of these decisions will affect the university for generations to come, making awareness and advocacy more crucial now than ever.