University of California system bans DEI statements in faculty hiring

Regents of the University of California system have voted to ban the use of diversity statements for faculty hiring, it was announced Wednesday.

“To be clear, stand-alone diversity statements will no longer be permitted in recruitments,” states a memo from Katherine Newman, executive vice president for academic affairs, adding that “due recognition to prospective or current employees who wish to share how they have contributed to inclusive excellence” is still allowed.

The decision was made by the University of California Board of Regents, which oversees the 10-campus system.

It comes in the wake of a Trump administration Office for Civil Rights “Dear Colleague letter” that argued DEI programs in higher education often discriminate based on race in violation of Title VI. The letter declared that DEI efforts are essentially discriminatory and colleges and universities could lose federal funding if they employ them.

The UCLA Daily Bruin reported that faculty are complaining that threatening to yank funding is the way in which Trump is controlling campus policies.

HUGE NEWS: The University of California Board of Regents just ended the use diversity statements in faculty hiring throughout the system.

“To be clear, stand-alone diversity statements will no longer be permitted in recruitments,” the system’s provost said in a letter today. pic.twitter.com/zqKaHUZSqt

— John Sailer (@JohnDSailer) March 20, 2025

The Los Angeles Times reported the regents “announced the decision as they convened at UCLA, their first meeting since the federal government launched a series of investigations at UC and other U.S. campuses over allegations that they discriminate against white, Asian American and Jewish employees and students.”

“As part of job applications or promotions, many departments at UC campuses have required job seekers to submit written testimonials of one or two pages about how they have worked to enhance and support racial and other kinds of diversity in their fields,” the Times reported.

MORE: Service statements emerge as possible constructive alternative to DEI statements

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: The words Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Dmitry Demidovich, Shutterstock

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