Facing a federal mandate threatening the university’s accreditation, NIU made the controversial choice to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion language from its website.
After removing its DEI page on Feb. 1 in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, the move left a mixed reaction among NIU students.
Signed on Feb. 18, Trump gave universities two weeks to eliminate their DEI programs. In a fight against “wokeness,” Trump’s order calls for universities to eliminate race-based consideration in admissions, financial aid and more.
As a result of multiple orders, NIU removed its DEI page, replacing it with a page entitled “Inclusive Excellence.” The new page is similar to the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NIU” page, but not identical, removing explicit references to discrimination-based initiatives but still keeping the same intention as the old page.
A specific change includes switching the first sentence. What formerly read “At NIU, we’re committed to confronting racism and all forms of discrimination,” now reads “At NIU, we are dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence.”
The page states NIU’s stance on inclusivity, stressing the importance of creating a welcoming environment for all.
“At NIU, we are dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence,” the Inclusive Excellence page reads. “This commitment drives us to create an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcome, valued, respected and supported as they pursue knowledge and the transformative benefits of higher education.”
With the dismantling of DEI-based initiatives within the Department of Education, the Trump administration has threatened to freeze and pull federal funding from non-compliant universities, leaving valuable resources on the table.
On the other hand, one has to ask if there is a line where the boundaries for what NIU is willing to do to comply begins and ends. If the administration wants all universities to put a photo of Trump on the front page of their websites or risk losing funding and negatively impact accreditation, should and would universities comply?
Logic would suggest they should comply because in the end their actions are in alignment with making sure NIU can continue to function, and the university does what allows students to continue to benefit from funding. But, it opens the door for NIU and other universities to jump through every hoop the current administration requires them to jump through.
Despite raising valid concerns, the change protects the financial aid that thousands of NIU students rely on. Furthermore, non-compliance could also jeopardize NIU’s accreditation by targeting independent accreditation organizations if they require DEI practices from universities, putting its academic reputation and student degrees at risk.
As harsh as the move may appear, it shields NIU from facing the repercussions. Amid the shifting landscape of education in the U.S., the university provided a statement on the issue.
“In today’s highly charged political climate, DEI has become a divisive and often misunderstood term,” the university’s statement reads. “Recent federal executive actions and legislative actions in many states have mandated the elimination of DEI programs, reinforcing negative and harmful perceptions.”
The statement continues by stating how the removal of DEI language doesn’t change the university’s mission of inclusivity, but is simply a response to an order. The statement reiterated NIU’s commitment to diversity and how they feel strongly about the development of it going forward.
“Despite these challenges, NIU remains steadfast in our commitment to educating, employing, supporting, advocating for and celebrating our diverse community — now and always,” the statement reads. “To uphold this commitment, we must continually assess and refine how we communicate our values, ensuring our message is affirming, clear, timely and thoughtful.
While the move appears insensitive and harmful, the removal of DEI language from NIU’s website will ultimately protect its students, avoiding potential repercussions from the federal government.
