As universities across the nation are facing accusations of obscuring their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts to steer clear of federal scrutiny, leaders in the parental rights movement shared their concerns with FOX News Digital. They discussed how significant the issue might be and potential solutions.
Nicole Neily, who leads the nonpartisan organization Dividing Education, described the ongoing DEI initiatives in three distinct categories. “The proud resisters,” she noted, include elite institutions like Princeton and Harvard that seem determined to “hashtag resist” and continue their practices unabated. Then there’s what she terms the “lipstick on a pig” group, comprising those who are merely rebranding their DEI offices—transforming DEI departments into “affiliate departments” or changing titles like DEI Dean to Compliance Dean—while maintaining their original agendas.
The situation isn’t new. Schools like Washington University in St. Louis have been implicated in these ongoing patterns. For instance, one of the top medical schools there reportedly relocated its DEI office to a more restricted area instead of shutting it down altogether.
Recently, Princeton University also faced scrutiny for its DEI policies, which allegedly included provisions for gender-neutral restrooms and gender-segregated graduations. Meanwhile, discussions at the University of Utah and the University of Virginia showed attempts to continue DEI efforts by simply renaming initiatives to bypass the scrutiny of the Trump administration.
Neily characterized a third group as those schools aiming to comply with federal guidelines in good faith. She noted that many administrators may feel relieved to scale back DEI initiatives now that there’s a shift in political tone, despite some public show of resistance. During a recent Board of Regents meeting, participants advocating for sustained inclusivity claimed that the administration only focuses on Ivy League institutions and can’t take action against all universities.
In her view, the so-called “real bad guys” are those actively sabotaging educational efforts. She claimed that the Trump administration has targeted high-profile schools like Harvard and Columbia but stressed the need for thorough investigations to uncover those attempting to veil their DEI agendas.
Neily advocates for a comprehensive approach at all educational levels to ensure systems aren’t circumventing laws while maintaining DEI. Interestingly, she expressed a sense of optimism about a shift in public sentiment regarding DEI. She pointed out that we’re at a pivotal moment in academia, with enrollment numbers peaking while costs soar, leading many to question the viability of traditional educational paths.
As a direct result of these trends, certain colleges are seeing dwindling international student numbers. Neily observed that students, especially in the South, are opting for institutions that don’t emphasize what some call “woke” ideologies in favor of a more conventional college experience.
Moreover, southern states have begun forming their accreditation agencies to challenge what they deem a monopolistic approach tied to progressive ideals in higher education. Neily remarked that some students disengaged from campuses burdened by stringent political correctness, prompting a re-evaluation of educational environments.
She noted that there’s a significant push among voters for state colleges to limit out-of-state enrollments, reflecting a broader cultural shift in academic structures. If higher education institutions don’t reconsider their future directions, she warned, they could face significant challenges ahead.
