ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) – Having now been in office for a month, President Donald Trump has radically reshaped the political environment in the United States with sweeping policy changes affecting many Americans – including college students and their professors.
Since taking the oath, Trump has waged an all-out war on the previous administration’s policies. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) departments in the federal government and higher education were some of the first institutions on the chopping block for the president. With executive orders like “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” Trump seems to have reinterpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1965 as barring practices such as diversity hiring and equity programs.
Attempting to comply with his orders, local universities are worried if they do not acquiesce to the president, he could withhold government funding, effectively bankrupting them.
The University of North Carolina System (UNC) took immediate action to avoid losing government financial aid.
“In compliance with a memo received from the UNC System Office on February 5, UNC Asheville suspended existing graduation requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the UNC Asheville Chancellor’s Office stated. “Specific to UNC Asheville, the University suspended its diversity intensive graduation requirement.”
Before Trump’s executive orders, students attending any UNC campus were required to take a course on diversity or a related field to be eligible for graduation. While these courses are no longer mandated, the UNC Asheville Chancellor’s Office states the courses will still be offered to students who choose to take them.
“Though the diversity intensive graduation requirement is suspended, all classes with the diversity intensive designation will continue without changes for the Spring 2025 semester, and students will still receive general education credit for those classes,” the university administration explained.
“Students who are currently in a diversity intensive class or classes, including seniors who plan to graduate in May or August, may continue in that class or classes and remain on track for graduation,” the Chancellor’s Office continued. “Students may also elect to withdraw from any class following the University’s hardship withdrawal policy. Credit that students have already earned for diversity intensive classes will be retained.”
While UNC Asheville made quick and decisive changes, Western Carolina University (WCU) seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
“Western Carolina University is currently evaluating the impact of new executive orders on university operations,” Julia Hartbarger Duvall, the communications manager for WCU wrote. “The safety and wellbeing of all campus community members is our top priority, and we remain dedicated to offering equal educational and employment opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff. A campus environment that promotes student success, accessibility, and free inquiry is central to WCU’s mission, and our campus programming will continue to reflect these priorities.”
Other local colleges and universities may be impacted as well. It remains to be seen what will become of DEI courses and related programs at schools across the nation.