Colleges around the United States have recently hurried to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Now, the issue has come to the Columbus State campus.
On March 3, Columbus State’s website dedicated to diversity was quietly taken offline. Within the day, the webpage was edited from the average error message to a clarification for curious students. The webpage now reads, “This office has changed its scope and name to Connection & Engagement Programs,” along with a link to the new page.
Originally, the Diversity page boasted “Diversity Programs and Services.” These services were to “foster student development, increase awareness and provide learning outcomes which are globally focused.”
Michael Tullier, the executive director of CSU’s Strategic Communication and Marketing office, states, “The Diversity Programs and Services page was inactive as we modified the university website. That office has changed its scope and name to Connection & Engagement Programs. A statement to that effect and a link to the new office’s webpage is now active on our website.”
It is important to note that while DEI is commonly associated with the inclusion of women, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals, that is not the full range of populations mentioned by the Diversity program at CSU. Other populations included military students, first-generation college students, adult learners and more.
This recent development has been met with mixed emotions by the student body. One student studying animation, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Uproar, “Overall I think getting rid of any sort of DEI stuff kinda just shows the school sees its student body as money rather than people.”
A computer science student, who wishes to be listed as “J.J.,” stated, “It’s a shame that Columbus State University removed its diversity page, but it is expected, especially with the current college president’s views on the current demographics of campus. I suspect more actions in a similar vein to be coming soon.”
This change is not exclusive to CSU, however. Since being elected to office, President Trump has taken aim at diversity, equity and inclusion — commonly referred to as DEI — initiatives in schools, including universities. This culminated in a threat from the president’s administration to remove federal funding from colleges, one which is becoming closer to reality. Around 50 colleges with well-funded DEI programs are being investigated thanks to an executive order signed by Trump.
States such as Florida and Texas have introduced laws that ban colleges from utilizing government funding from either creating DEI initiatives or maintaining those that have already been introduced. In April of 2024, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill that allows the attorney general to fine schools for up to $10,000 if DEI is found to be the reason for hiring faculty or enrolling students.
The Georgia senate’s own DEI ban failed to pass on its floor vote earlier this month. If Senate Bill 120 had passed, postsecondary institutions found to be participating in DEI programs could lose state and state-managed federal funding as a result.
Columbus State University has not cited the current discourse surrounding DEI initiatives at colleges as the reason for the change, rather stating that they have renamed themselves to properly encapsulate their scope, but it still stands that this is another case of a college removing diversity initiatives after the president and the Department of Education voiced strong contention and threats against their existence.
The Uproar reached out to Dr. Florence Wakoko, a sociology professor here on campus and the creator of the annual Diversity Forum, for comment. While saddened, Dr. Wakoko still has immense hope for inclusivity at CSU.
“Changes may come, and our values may change, but the foundation we created will live on to foster a people-centered culture,” Dr. Wakoko said. “These values are not only necessary but critical for institutional success.”
Updated April 2, 2025 to clarify university comment about the website change.
