News Summary
Virginia colleges and universities are revising their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies following federal pressure from a recent executive order. The University of Virginia has dissolved its DEI office, while others like George Mason University are evaluating their DEI initiatives. Despite opposition from faculty, the changes aim to align with federal mandates, raising concerns about the future of inclusivity in higher education across the state.
Richmond, Virginia – Virginia colleges and universities are adjusting their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in response to federal pressure, primarily stemming from an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump. This order, enacted on January 21, calls for the cessation of DEI efforts in public institutions, leading schools like George Mason University (GMU) and Old Dominion University (ODU) to review their existing programs and structures.
Among Virginia’s higher education institutions, the University of Virginia (UVA) has taken the lead, voting on March 1 to dissolve its Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Partnerships. This action was commended by Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin, who asserted that DEI initiatives were finished at UVA.
The executive order outlines that “illegal DEI and DEIA policies” infringe upon civil rights laws, placing the federal government in a position to enforce compliance among educational institutions. Federal authorities have cautioned ODU and others about the potential loss of federal funding if race-based decision-making persists.
At GMU, the Academic Programs, Diversity, and University Community Committee is currently evaluating a resolution that aims to eliminate all programs not mandated by federal or state law. If passed, this resolution could lead to significant staff layoffs, with consequences expected within 30 days of approval.
Despite the proposed reduction in DEI initiatives, faculty consensus appears to be largely against these changes. Reports indicate that approximately 90% of GMU faculty oppose the resolution, emphasizing the crucial role of DEI in promoting student inclusivity and success. They argue that the proposal contradicts GMU’s commitment to an inclusive environment, which is vital for cultivating a sense of belonging among students.
Some faculty members have expressed concerns over the implications of dismantling DEI programs, suggesting that it may undermine the university’s inclusive culture. Conversely, a GMU economics professor has voiced support for the resolution, equating DEI initiatives with McCarthyism and claiming they threaten intellectual freedom on campus.
The review at GMU further proposes disbanding the university’s Bias Incident Response Team and the Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence program. As part of compliance measures, GMU has transformed its DEI office into the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community (OACC), strategically eliminating specific DEI roles.
In addition, discussions surrounding the proposed resolution have highlighted inconsistencies with an existing antisemitism resolution, indicating that further dialogue regarding the university’s principles is essential. Meanwhile, ODU has shifted its Institutional Equity & Diversity webpage to focus more on talent management and culture, effectively removing terms associated with diversity and inclusiveness and eliminating links to many DEI initiatives. Despite the change, staff within ODU’s former DEI office have largely remained in their roles, creating confusion regarding the future functions of the task force.
Furthermore, university-level conversations have emerged about addressing implicit bias, particularly in healthcare contexts, with data suggesting that DEI initiatives might help mitigate disparities in patient treatment. Aligning with such sentiments, the Virginia legislature passed bills mandating unconscious bias training for medical professionals; however, recent amendments by Governor Youngkin have removed references to cultural competency from these requirements.
Virginia Tech has also undergone amendments to its DEI strategies, confirming the need to align with the former president’s executive order while still asserting its dedication to fostering an inclusive campus community.
This response from Virginia universities to federal directives marks a significant shift in the landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. With the future of DEI programming in question, further developments are expected as institutional policies evolve in line with federal governance.
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Additional Resources
- Virginia Mercury: George Mason, Old Dominion Latest VA Universities to Roll Back DEI Policies
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Schools Vote on DEI Rollback Policy Language Changes
- WDBJ7: Virginia Tech Votes to Dismantle DEI Efforts
- WRIC: UVA Board of Visitors Votes on DEI Policies
- WTKR: Virginia Beach School Board Adjusts DEI Policy Language
- Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Google Search: Diversity Equity Inclusion
- Google Scholar: Diversity Equity Inclusion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Diversity and Inclusion
- Google News: Diversity Equity Inclusion
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WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
