Syracuse University officials are determining if any of the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs violate new federal guidance targeting race-conscious activities.
SU administrators don’t believe any university programs are discriminatory, according to a campus-wide statement sent Thursday. Still, officials are reviewing the structure of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as well as language, services and other “relevant considerations” across campus, the statement says.
Last month, the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights released a “dear colleague” letter targeting all race-conscious programming at schools and colleges. The letter argued that such services discriminated against white students and others who didn’t benefit from them.
The department’s letter broadens the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which banned colleges from considering race in deciding whether to admit students.
Last week, the department released a list of frequently asked questions clarifying the types of activities that may violate the guidance. Cultural programs, for instance, wouldn’t be in violation as long as they are open to all students, the document says.
Any colleges that don’t comply with the letter could risk losing federal funding.
SU received almost $250 million in federal funding in 2023, according to an independent auditors report obtained by ProPublica. The money included Covid relief funds, Pell Grants, work study programs, dozens of research grants and more.
In the weeks after Trump took office, the university scrubbed references to the word “diversity” from much of his website.
Mary Grace Almandrez, the university’s vice president for diversity and inclusion, will review the university’s programs with her team and offer her recommendations to the chancellor by the end of the semester, Thursday’s announcement says.
Already, the university has moved oversight of all scholarship programs to the Office of Academic Affairs to align with federal guidance, it adds.
“The university reaffirms our commitment to being welcoming to all and upholding the orange values that have guided our mission since our founding,” the statement says. “As we continue to build on this proud history in the current regulatory environment, we will examine carefully and thoughtfully how we articulate and live our ideals.”
Maggie Hicks covers education, including the Syracuse City School District and Syracuse University. She can be reached at mhicks@syracuse.com or follow her on X @maggie_hickss.