Diversity, equity and inclusion are three words that carry with them much controversy in today’s political climate. Yet, they were first curated to benefit students, workers and the general population who continue to face discrimination.
An article from CNN defined DEI as the act of “embracing the differences everyone brings to the table… treating everyone fairly and providing equal opportunities [and] creating a culture in which people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.”
DEI is imperative for college campuses, businesses, the federal government and other institutions because the implementation of these topics through policies and programs creates valuable resources for marginalized groups. This is something that should not be taken for granted, though for some, it has lost its meaning and become a topic of discourse and hate.
The Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Education have been adding fuel to the fire by “[taking] action to eliminate harmful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives… in line with President Trump’s ongoing commitment to end illegal discrimination and wasteful spending across the federal government,” as stated by the DOE.
An example of this, also directly from the DOE website listed under “notable actions,” was the “identification for removal of over 200 web pages from the Department’s website that housed DEI resources and encouraged schools and institutions of higher education to promote or endorse harmful ideological programs.”
In Feb. 2025, the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights issued a letter, referred to as the Dear Colleague letter, to all colleges and universities on the basis of racial preferencing in college admissions.
In this letter, it was stated that “the department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation’s educational institutions.”
Also in this letter was the claim that DEI seems to be the root of the issue, stating, “other programs discriminate in less direct, but equally insidious, ways. DEI programs, for example…stigmatize students who belong to particular racial groups based on crude racial stereotypes. Consequently, they deny students the ability to participate fully in the life of a school.”
There were major threats to federal funding cuts as well, if universities failed to comply. An editorial about this letter, from Inside Higher Ed, wrote that “the Feb. 14 letter is a full-fledged attack on affirmative action and diversity, equity and inclusion. It is also one of the worst attacks on academic freedom by the government in the history of American higher education.”
Currently, DEI is being used as a weapon against discrimination, but in the wrong context. Many believe that DEI programs allow unfair advantages to people, though they were designed to aid those who did not receive the same fair treatment as others.
With all of the efforts to alter and eliminate many aspects of DEI within higher education, businesses and the federal government, it is evident that many institutions and companies have reacted in varied ways.
While some remain compliant with the wishes of the Trump Administration, and others continue to promote DEI outside of the public eye, Drew and many other universities have continued to take action outwardly by promoting DEI through school events and initiatives.
This is why The Drew Acorn Editorial Board sought to highlight the importance of DEI in schools, and to call further attention to the intricate things Drew has been doing for diversity, equity and inclusion during these hostile times. Such events are crucial for students to be educated on diverse topics and to hear the voices of marginalized groups rather than silencing them, and Drew has been doing just that.
On April 23, 2025, the official Drew University Instagram posted that “Drew University joined over 300 institutions in signing the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ ‘A Call for Constructive Engagement.’”
The beginning of the statement, posted on the AAC&U website, reads, “as leaders of America’s colleges, universities and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” It continues to say, “We are open to constructive reform… However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”
It is highly important that Drew was among the universities to sign this statement, though it is also vital that this information was posted publicly. This action shows that Drew openly pushes back against the unjust involvement of the government in higher education and values the lives and education of its students.
In recent weeks, there have been countless events pertaining to topics within DEI on Drew’s campus that have been run by Drew’s education departments, programs and clubs.
For example, the women, gender and sexuality program and the law, justice and society program put together an event with the A&S Dean’s Office that featured the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, which put on a presentation and Q&A regarding transgender rights in New Jersey.
Those in attendance got the opportunity to learn more about many aspects of laws and how they affect transgender people.
Those same programs, along with The Center for Civic Engagement, hosted the third annual DEI lecture on Nov. 5, where legal scholar, justice advocate and policy expert Dr. T. Anansi Wilson led a group discussion about those who are being mistreated and targeted by the government, including people of color, trans people, protestors, immigrants and queer people.
Many universities have removed or renamed certain departments and programs pertaining to diversity and inclusion, and in doing so, they eradicate a welcoming environment for a diverse population of students.
“It is important to remember that the university is sustaining its curricular commitments [to Africana studies, women’s, gender and sexuality studies, Middle East studies etc.] and it’s also not eliminating them or relabeling them,” said Professor Kolmar, chair of the women’s, gender and sexuality program. “The Deans of the college are committed to the future of such departments, and that is not insignificant in this moment when so many institutions, particularly public universities, are being pressured and told to eliminate those programs.”
Something else that is worth highlighting is that Drew partners with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond for anti-racism workshops and training that staff and faculty can attend.
At the workshop titled “Antiracist Praxis and Liberatory Learning,” they conduct valuable conversations, learn to unpack power within institutions and work to ensure the best environment in the classrooms and on campus. This occurred last January and will happen again this coming January.
Those who attended the training this past January are now working on a semester-long workshop to ensure that these practices are being upheld in the classroom.
The Drew University Student Activities department also recently hosted an event where they offered food, trivia and other activities to honor the Lenape people.
Clubs on campus have also been hosting events that promote DEI, such as Drew Planned Parenthood, which hosted a sex toy bingo event promoting safe sex measures and the destigmatization of sex.
They also hosted a queer bingo event where students could win a wide array of pride-themed baskets and other prizes to recognize LGBTQ+ culture and community.
A lesser-known group on Drew’s campus is the Faculty of Color Caucus, which strives to “foster inclusivity of all people of color on campus, including students and staff,” as mentioned in their mission statement.
In the past, they have hosted panels highlighting community and inclusivity, and recently, they hosted a potluck where all were welcome. “It felt like we were all on the same level, and that’s what I appreciate so much about the FOCC. It is so important to bridge the gap between student and professor and to broaden connections in our future careers and in our cultures,” said Jaden Finn (‘28).
With all of these events and more, Drew is creating valuable student engagement and providing opportunities to educate students on a variety of cultures and ways of life that are different from their own.
This is especially important for college students, as higher education is a place meant for learning about diverse topics to become a well-rounded citizen.
At Drew, countless clubs and departments aim to provide a safe space for all minorities and people of color, which should always be a priority.
“No institution is ever perfect and there is always more that could be done and that is part of why student voices and expressing what you think should happen are much more powerful,” said Professor Kolmar.
The Lead Editorial is a reflection of the collective opinion of the editorial board
