The United States Department of Education sent out a letter Feb. 14 demanding that colleges and K-12 schools abolish diversity, equity and inclusion and race-related programs — such as themed dormitories and financial aid — or face funding cuts.
The letter states that educational systems discriminate against white and Asian students and that these institutions display “pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences,” writing that colleges have enforced segregation in dormitories, graduation celebrations and more.
DEI race-related resources and programs exist to decrease the gap between minority students and white students, being a stepping stone to helping them have equal opportunities as their peers.
“If the Department of Ed abolishes race-related programs and gender and other groups, the services offered [by CSUF] would continue in my view through the functional areas of academic and student affairs. These distinctive programs were created out of necessity since traditionally we were not meeting all of our students’ needs,” said Dawn Person, the director of the Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership, in an email to the Daily Titan.
At California State University system institutions, black students represent 4% across the undergraduate student body, while 48% of black students graduate within six years as of 2022.
The Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education released an FAQ about the “Dear colleague” letter regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, where they further define what race-related programs are problematic.
The letter reads: “schools must consider whether any school programming discourages members of all races from attending, either by excluding or discouraging students of a particular race or races, or by creating hostile environments based on race for students who do participate.”
CSUF has multiple themed dormitories that serve students of various demographic groups, including the Ujima community, which is a partnership between Housing and Residential Engagement and the African American Resource Center.
Kaden Bailey, second-year kinesiology major and past resident of the CSUF Ujima housing community, said that the floor has helped him connect with the community. He added that anyone, regardless of race, can live in these communities and participate in clubs and activities if they want.
“It sounds very hypocritical, in my opinion,” Bailey said. “Different minorities are kind of put at a disadvantage already, so having something to kind of bring those people together in order to help themselves, I don’t see that as a bad thing, and I don’t see it as anything that’s hurting anybody.”
The CSU said in an email to the Daily Titan that they are aware of the letter and are consulting with the California Attorney General and higher education partners across the country to better understand the impact of the letter.
Following an inquiry by the Daily Titan, CSUF strategic communications redirected the questions to the CSU office of the chancellor director of strategic communications and public affairs.
President Ronald Rochon sent out an email on Feb. 25 regarding the updated budget, describing that our campus is preparing for potential federal funding cuts, including cuts to DEI funding, grants and federal financial aid.
“Next month, we will join hundreds of students and campus leaders across the CSU system to advocate for critical funding. We hope that our efforts will help preserve these essential resources,” Rochon wrote in the email.
The “CSUF Black Student Scholarship Fund” is offered by the Orange County Community Foundation and administered by Scholarship America for upcoming CSUF freshman students and current undergraduates who identify as Black.
More recently, on Feb. 27, the Department of Education launched an “End DEI” website that allows people to submit discrimination complaints to further their efforts.