The U.S. Department of Education demanded public schools and universities cut DEI programming by Feb. 27. (Coolcaeser/Wikimedia Commons)
The federal government is pressuring public schools to end race-conscious programs and initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusivity by Friday, but local institutions are silent.
Indiana University and Monroe County Community School Corp. officials haven’t shed light on their plans as the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights prepares to investigate schools out of compliance. Institutions out of compliance could lose federal funding. IU and MCCSC didn’t respond to requests for comment.
The Department of Education issued the demands to end DEI and race-based programs in a “dear colleague” letter to all public education institutions on Feb. 14.
Read more: Indiana schools must end 'race-based' programming by Feb. 28 or risk losing federal funding
The demands are based on a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned affirmative action and race-conscious admissions. Now, the department said the court’s decision applies more broadly in education, including “admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.”
The Office of Civil Rights will begin compliance reviews Friday. Free and reduced lunch programs, student loans, Title IX and other funding could be impacted, NPR reported.
Some programs at IU may be affected. IU supports the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as numerous cultural centers such as the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The Bloomington campus offers some scholarships and programs that give preference to underrepresented and minority students.
Michael Huber, IU vice president for university relations, said at a Feb. 18 University Faculty Council he can’t describe how the “dear colleague” and other anti-DEI initiatives such as Senate Bill 289 will impact IU.
“The problem is, with a few of these communications and executive orders, we can't point to the exact result or effect on IU yet, because the federal agencies now are tasked with implementing the executive orders,” Huber said at the meeting.
Read more: IU leaders discuss challenge of navigating state, federal initiatives
Ivy Tech Community College President Sue Ellspermann on Feb. 11 announced plans to slowly shut down its Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging The closing will dissolve 31 positions across the state, including one in Bloomington.
Ellspermann said Ivy Tech is primarily funded by the General Assembly, federal grants and student financial aid, and the dissolution ensures against disruptions to campus services.
Read more: Ivy Tech to dissolve Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging
April Hennessey, MCCSC school board president, said in a Feb. 5 episode of WFIU’s Noon Edition the corporation has tracked anti-DEI initiatives in the federal and state government. She said an executive order from President Donald Trump and state bills such as Senate Bill 289 could impact the classroom.
Read more: MCCSC superintendent, school board president discuss legislative impacts
“It would mean that we couldn't teach about the Civil Rights Movement, or the suffragettes, the women's right movement, or a whole host of things,” Hennessey said on Noon Edition. “It’s a little baffling to me at this moment, because I don’t know how we would take all of these things out of our curriculum or not teach them.”
MCCSC includes multiple equity goals in its strategic plan.
The corporation doesn’t list a staff member solely dedicated to diversity, equity or inclusion on its website. The corporation also supports Student Equity Ambassadors, who helped develop MCCSC’s anti-racist policy.
Hennessey said as an individual, she has no intention of backing away from these things, but she understands funding may be at risk. Hennessey said leaders were waiting to learn more.
“It’s just very complicated, we’re waiting to see what actually passes, and what actually trickles down to us,” Hennessey said on Noon Edition.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright.
