Fewer Than Half of Americans Support DEI Programs at Colleges, Survey Shows

Americans Divided on DEI Initiatives in Universities

A recent poll indicates that Americans are divided on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at universities, showing a mix of approval and opposition.

Approximately 30% of respondents expressed disapproval of DEI efforts, according to a survey conducted by the Associated Press Civil Service Research Center in May. However, about 40% of those surveyed reported strong or moderate support for DEI initiatives.

Notably, the majority of Republicans showed resistance to DEI programs in higher education, while a significant number of Democrats favored such initiatives. Specifically, around 60% of Republicans indicated opposition to DEI at universities, whereas about 70% of Democrats expressed support.

In a statement that reflects some of the dissenting views, an 81-year-old independent voter, Robert Ayala, voiced strong opposition to DEI, as reported by the Associated Press.

The AP-NORC survey aligns with various recent studies that have shown increasing support among voters for discontinuing DEI programs. For instance, an Economist/YouGov poll found that 45% of voters support halting DEI initiatives in schools and government, while just 40% opposed such measures.

Former President Trump has been vocal about dismantling DEI programs, advocating for broad efforts to eliminate these initiatives from universities, K-12 education, and even the federal sector. Recently, he signed a Presidential Order aimed at reforming the higher education accreditation system, contending that DEI standards were discriminatory.

As of this year, some companies in the U.S. have started to roll back their DEI policies, although experts suggest that these organizations might be rebranding rather than completely discarding their diversity initiatives.