From scholarships to housing, college students struggle with the effects of Trump orders against DEI

Several higher education institutions have responded to a Department of Education mandate to cease engaging in DEI initiatives by shuttering departments and housing programs while others lost funding for scholarships.

For Daniela Pintor-Mendoza, the efforts to abolish diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives in higher education literally hit home. The University of Iowa sophomore has been part of a campus housing option known as a living learning community where students interested in Latino culture and experiences live and study together. But next fall, this option is going away, prompted by President Donald Trump’s expansive executive order rolling back DEI programs. “(It’s) a small part of home away from home. It keeps us going. It keeps us motivated. It keeps us surrounded by people who encourage us to be part of this campus,” said Pintor-Mendoza, who said she is scrambling to find new housing and a new place to feel a sense of belonging. The public research university in Iowa City is only one of many higher education institutions that have responded to a Department of Education mandate to cease engaging in DEI initiatives. While some are taking a wait-and-see approach, many others are scrubbing all mentions of DEI from websites, shuttering programs and some have lost funding for scholarships. Trump’s crusade against DEI exploded on Inauguration Day when he signed an executive order banning DEI programs, effectively ordering agencies to “align” with the White House’s policies and guidance. On February 14, a Department of Education letter sent to all K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions made the mandate even clearer. It directed schools to stop using race as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training and other areas, and set a two-week deadline to comply with the new policies.