Recent research indicates a significant divide among Americans regarding support for university diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and interpretations of what these initiatives entail.
According to a poll from the Associated Press and NORC Research Center released Thursday, responses to DEI programs on college campuses revealed that 30% of participants were either strongly or somewhat opposed. Another 30% remained neutral, while 40% expressed support.
Opposition was notably higher among White Americans and Republicans compared to Black or Hispanic Americans and Democrats. The survey indicated that about 60% of Republicans were against the DEI programs, whereas 70% of Democrats supported them.
However, the responses from Republicans became more nuanced when delving into specific aspects of DEI. Over half showed support for courses on racism, while 33% opposed scholarships designated for minority students, and 30% were against clubs and services exclusive to particular racial or ethnic groups.
This suggests that while GOP respondents may back certain educational programs, a clear division remains within the party, especially as the Trump administration challenges what it terms “illegal” DEI practices in both K-12 and higher education.
The federal government has cautioned that schools risk losing federal funding over DEI programs, although a judge recently halted this threat due to ambiguity surrounding what qualifies as DEI.
The Education Department has initiated a survey targeting Chicago Public Schools to devise a strategy for improving outcomes for Black students, while also indicating which DEI initiatives might be discarded based on race.
The AP/NORC poll was conducted with 1,175 adults from May 1-5 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
