The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has closed, effective Thursday, May 22.
In a press release sent to IU campuses Thursday, IU said while prioritizing “initiatives to provide students with universal access to resources, programs and services that support their success,” the university is taking steps to fully comply with state and federal laws regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The dismantling of DEI programs began with President Donald Trump’s executive orders within the first month of his new term. Indiana Governor Mike Braun also signed an executive order in January eliminating DEI programs in state agencies.
The executive orders were signed to ensure “equality of opportunity” for citizens, regarding hiring processes, scholarships, university acceptances and more.
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights sent IU and other universities and colleges across the nation a letter demanding the elimination of any race-based programs within two weeks in February.
IU had already made several changes in March but has since made additional changes to IU websites and offices. The OVPDEI website link now takes users to the IU home page. The Office of Institutional Equity was renamed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.
IU said the new name more accurately reflects the mission to oversee the university's compliance with civil rights laws. The university will continue to provide information and support to students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders, according to the press release.
