Many colleges around the country that have spent decades building up their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are now having to rethink – and in some cases completely dismantle – those efforts.Conservative policymakers have been pushing back hard on higher education programs that use racial preferences to recruit and retain more students and faculty of color, and promote inclusivity for students of all identities. And change is happening: In this last year alone, race-conscious admissions was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court and many states have moved to defund and ban DEI-related programs and hiring practices in higher education...
...Evolution of DEI Programs
Beginning in the 1960s, outreach efforts like Upward Bound and other TRIO programs were created through the U.S. Department of Education to encourage more students of color to attend predominately white institutions.But schools "began to realize it was going to take more than just the admissions of students," Granberry Russell says. Students of color found "they had particular concerns and needs, whether it was around both academic support as well as social support, and that often the climate on the campus itself was not welcoming or friendly."...
There are also benefits of having a diverse student population. A 2019 study by the American Council on Education indicated that racial and ethnic diversity in education and the workforce leads to greater innovation, productivity and cultural competency.
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- - Volume: 11 - WEEK: 35 Date: 8/30/2023 1:22:00 PM -