Western Accreditor Looks to Drop DEI Language

Inside Higher Ed

Josh Moody

December 9, 2024

After months of rhetoric from President-elect Donald Trump attacking diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives—as well as threats to “fire” accreditors—the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Senior College and University Commission is considering dropping DEI language from its standards.

Some critics see the move as an effort to avoid a showdown with the incoming Trump administration over DEI. But the accreditor argues it is simply refining its language to better emphasize student outcomes, in the process dropping a term that has become loaded and therefore distracting.

The proposed changes, published on the WSCUC website, show the accreditor is considering dropping the phrase “diversity, equity and inclusion” and replacing it with “success for all students.” A side-by-side comparison indicates the DEI phrasing could be removed from four current standards.

The accreditor is accepting comments on the proposed revisions through Wednesday; the commission will decide whether and when to implement the change on Dec. 17.

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