CONTACT: Ameshia Cross
ACross@edtrust.org
312-339-6930
EdTrust Report Examines How Colleges’ Anti-DEI Policies Affect Campus Racial Climate
WASHINGTON – Amid the ban on affirmative action in college admissions and pressure from conservative extremists, some state and college leaders are doing away with their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. A new report from EdTrust contends that this is the wrongheaded direction: there needs to be greater efforts on college campuses to support the belonging and success of students of color — not fewer.
EdTrust’s digital report, “Creating Positive College Campus Racial Climates for Students of Color,” interviewed Black, Latino, and Asian American students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) in 15 states to glean insight into their experiences on campus. These students expressed frustrations about the underrepresentation of students of color and faculty on campuses, compounded by the failures of administrators to recognize, report, and handle incidents of microaggressions, racism, or discrimination.
One Latino student said, “There’s been a lot of incidents in classes on campus where White teachers or non-students of color have created racial issues, and [my campus] has continued to really just to look over and continue on with their day.”
“Despite numerous pledges to address campus diversity from university leadership, many students of color continue to report feelings of isolation, have limited supports, and don’t trust campus leadership to appropriately resolve or address racial incidents,” said Jessie Hernandez -Reyes, EdTrust senior policy analyst and report author. “University leadership must act to address poor campus racial culture, as research consistently shows that students of color’s experiences on college campuses significantly affect their sense of belonging, perseverance, and graduation rates.”
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