By Caroline Pychynski
From the Civil Rights Movement onwards, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies have promoted the participation of minority groups in every part of our society so that we as a country can turn the page on discrimination based on race, identity or disability and instead embrace our collective diversity.
Diversity celebrates the differences in race, age, gender, ethnicity and other aspects of identity that exist in a vibrant society. Equity ensures fair treatment and equal opportunities for all societal members. Inclusion fosters respect and encourages people from all backgrounds to contribute.
On Jan. 21, 2025, President Donald Trump issued the Executive Order titled, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” nullifying previous executive orders issued in support of affirmative action and DEI programs and policies.
Under this new executive order, federal contractors and grant recipients are obligated to confirm that they are not running any DEI programs that break anti-discrimination laws. Noncompliance can lead to the withdrawal of federal funding. President Trump has also called for compliance investigations to be held at higher education institutions with endowments at or above $1 billion. Colleges that run DEI programs could face changes in federal funding, especially if such DEI requirements are tied to research grants, contracts or other financial resources. Institutions that depend on federal support may need to carefully assess how removing these policies could impact their eligibility for government funding.
That has raised enough alarm at Adelphi that faculty, staff and students have been reaching out to the administrators prompting a Feb. 6 emailed statement to the AU community from the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. In it Sentwali Bakari, vice president of Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, wrote: “Recent executive orders may raise understandable concerns and questions among our students, faculty and staff—particularly regarding federal funding, immigration policies and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In moments of uncertainty, it is important to reaffirm who we are and what we stand for. Adelphi University believes diversity benefits our community, enriches learning and our academic environment, and improves student outcomes and lives.”
Bakari’s statement also assured the AU community that the university is committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment for all students, faculty and staff. Through dedicated efforts, he said, the institution will continue to uphold the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. He added that developments are being closely monitored and the university will advocate for policies that align with the AU community to best support students.
“With President[Christine] Riordan, Provost [Christopher] Storm and our senior Adelphi leadership, I am committed to helping our community navigate the path ahead with confidence and resilience,” Bakari concluded.
Professor Martin Haas of the History Department told The Delphian, “Right now it is unclear how it is going to affect us. There is the understanding of the university that is committed to the principles of DEI.”
According to Inside Higher Ed, an online publication based in Washington, DC, university stakeholders say that Trump’s main goal in removing these policies is to foster cultural conflicts by framing the issue as a choice between rewarding hard work or supporting diversity. Critics of the Executive Order contend that eliminating DEI policies in higher education would hinder colleges from offering programs that cater to underrepresented groups. They fear that this may, as a consequence, prevent universities from fostering a more inclusive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. Some Adelphi students told The Delphian how they feel about this.
“In my opinion, I believe that it would take us 100 years back from what we have worked for,” said first-year nursing major Serena Ashton. “As an African-American student, I could only see it impacting college students negatively. It could create an environment where certain groups fully benefit from resources, while others are left behind.”
First-year health sciences major Nicole Garel said, “Since the executive order was so recently implemented, anything can happen on campus with these new policies.”
In his e-mail statement, Bakari explained that the university is taking steps to stay true to its commitment to having a diverse and inclusive campus.
“The President’s Office continues working with Adelphi’s supporters, advocates and policy advisors in higher education to stay informed and prepared to navigate any impact on our community members and academic mission,” he wrote. “The Provost’s Office is actively monitoring executive orders regarding federal funding for research, grants, special projects and sponsored programs. [...] The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is actively monitoring executive orders on DEI programs and historically marginalized groups for potential impacts on our community, initiatives, and commitments while maintaining our support for an inclusive and welcoming environment.”
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