As federal guidance orders the termination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs across U.S. campuses, universities face mounting questions about their ability to balance its academic freedom with potential cuts to federal funding. With DEI initiatives at risk, university leaders and faculty are navigating a future where academic freedom and federal policies collide.
At DePaul, faculty groups tackled the issue head-on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in a panel on “Campus Freedom in the Second Trump Administration,” hosted by the American Association of University Professors chapter and Faculty Council Speech and Expression Task Force. The speakers asserted their cautious optimism given DePaul’s status as a faith-based institution.
The U.S. Department of Education released a letter Feb. 14 that caused confusion and worry on many campuses, including DePaul’s. This letter takes the precedent of the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard Supreme Court case — which overturned affirmative action — and claims it applies to all “race-based” decisions in higher education…