The Department of Education will no longer enforce its restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and National Education Association (NEA). Both institutions were parties in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the policy directive, which was published last year.
The directive, known as the “Dear Colleague” letter, was published in February 2025. Among the measures outlined were the department’s new interpretation of the Civil Rights Act, eliminating federal funds for institutions with affirmative action and other anti-discriminatory policies.
The policy outlined in the letter was enjoined by the U.S. District Court in Maryland and New Hampshire in April 2025.
The Trump administration’s decision to end the directive effectively nullifies its education policies that limit diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The USC Human Resources, Ethics and Compliance division announced that the term “DEI” would be phased out in favor of “community” in March 2025.
In the initial announcement, USC argued that “DEI” as a phrase had become too politically divisive, while “community” spoke to the same values without alienating students based on ideological differences.
During an Academic Senate meeting Wednesday, USC President Beong-Soo Kim made it clear that university policy would not be changing, as President Donald Trump’s executive orders on DEI policies remain in effect.