East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, has decided to drop its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) requirements for graduation. This means students no longer need to take specific DEI courses to earn their degrees.
The university announced this change recently, stating that all previously mandatory DEI coursework has been eliminated. This affects both general education classes and other courses related to DEI.
The decision stems from recent changes in federal policies, particularly after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order rolling back DEI initiatives in the federal government. This shift has influenced universities across the country, leading many to reassess their DEI requirements.
For example, Missouri State University ended its DEI office and related programs, while Rutgers University canceled a conference focused on DEI topics due to the same executive order.
The reduction of DEI initiatives isn’t confined to universities. Google has also announced it will scale back some of its DEI hiring goals that were put in place after the 2020 protests against racial injustice.
An official from Google mentioned that the company is committed to creating a diverse workplace and is reviewing its programs to align with new legal guidelines. As a federal contractor, Google is adapting to recent court decisions and executive orders on DEI.
East Carolina University has been contacted for further comments, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.