The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is considering removing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) language from its accreditation standards.
The accreditor is responsible for overseeing the entire University of California (UC) system, the California State University system and several religious institutions. The proposed update to the standards would remove language requiring universities to commit to DEI in order to receive accreditation.
Current standards set by the commission in 2023 state that a school must promote “the success of all students and [make] explicit its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion” under the “Defining Institutional Mission and Acting with Integrity” requirement, according to the proposed revisions. The new standard entirely axes its mention of DEI, simply stating that a school must promote “institutional excellence and success for all students.”
The single-page standards document mentions DEI by name five times, listing it in the outline for all four of its standards. The new standards make no mention.
The commission will vote on the revisions on Dec. 17.
DEI policies are being dismantled by several institutions, from corporations like Walmart to top colleges such as the University of Michigan, which hosts the largest and most expensive DEI program in the country. Criticisms of the programs’ effectiveness, including a study proving DEI efforts may make people more likely to agree with Hitler, have led to the efforts’ downfall.
The incoming Trump administration may also be contributing to the sudden reversal of DEI policies, with many fearing the president-elect will work to uproot racial discrimination practices put in place by the Biden Administration. DEI programs and policies at institutions that receive federal funds, such as government agencies and public schools, may be on the chopping block.
WASC did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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