Skepticism runs deep across BU after Trump’s threat to DEI programs

BU student speaking at Walkout Against Mass Deportation on Marsh Plaza // Photo by Angelica Vivas

Boston University faculty and students have expressed strong opinions on the university’s Diversity and Inclusion program, with hope and concern for its future as federal pressure persists.

DEI programs have been threatened in institutions nationwide after Trump’s executive order to end “radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing.” Northeastern University changed the language of its program and website from diversity, equity and inclusion to “belonging,” days after Trump’s executive order.

BU Sociology Professor Dr. Zabala Ortiz said she understood the practical approach that Northeastern took but doesn’t support the change in DEI language.

“I wish they didn't change it, and I wish they would keep everything as is, because I think it's a way of sort of standing up and saying, no, we're not falling for that,” said Zabala Ortiz.

Zabala Ortiz was wary to remain positive when asked about the future of BU’s Diversity and Inclusion program.

“I’m trying to be hopeful because we do have a Black woman president, but that doesn't always mean change in progress in the way that we sometimes like to think that it means, so it still remains to be seen how she's going to respond and how the university is going to respond.”

The future of BU’s Diversity and Inclusion program is unknown, but they have been unchanged since Trump’s executive order last month.

BU’s Diversity and Inclusion office has declined to comment on the future of the program.

Students involved in cultural and political groups at BU remain skeptical of the university’s future DEI efforts, as the administration has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Alianza Latina is BU’s largest Latinx cultural organization that strives to foster community within the campus.

Lorraine Lang, undergraduate senior and committee member for Alianza Latina, has already been disappointed by BU’s DEI efforts.

“I feel like BU as a whole is already a PWI and it already doesn't feel like we have a space here,” Lang said. “And getting rid of that, just like makes it acceptable and allows it for us to have less of a space than we already have.”

Philip Wohltorf, undergraduate sophomore and member of BU College Republicans, supports DEI programs in universities but opposes their considerations in admissions.

“I just don't think that DEI should be pushed on all students, especially those who aren't interested in it,” said Wohltorf. “And with that being said, I don't oppose DEI at all, and I don't even think the current administration opposes every single like DEI option. I’d say, you know, conservatives just support a merit-based admissions process.”

Some students connected Trump’s DEI executive order with the recent Supreme Court decision to strike down affirmative action. BU had a 3% decrease in Black student enrollment after the affirmative action ruling in 2023.

Undergraduate Senior Isabelle Fonseca reflected on the immediate effects of the affirmative action ruling on BU’s enrollment.

“I mean, BU doesn't have a very good history with making the right decision when it comes to, or what I think is the right decision when it comes to, I guess inclusion, like when affirmative action was overdone by the Supreme Court, our enrollment of specifically students of color, went down very quickly. So that was disappointing,” Fonseca said. “So if we're going off of what we've experienced, or I've experienced in four years I've been here, I wouldn't say I'm too optimistic, but we can hope.”

IMPACT BU is a student government senate committee and task force that focuses on marginalized communities and their efforts to ensure the university’s DEI initiatives are effective. IMPACT consists of the Latine, Black and Asian student task forces.

Isabella Caruso, undergraduate sophomore and co-chair of IMPACT, works closely with the administration to discuss task force reports and enact changes within the university. Caruso is meeting with Dean of Students Jason Campbell-Foster and Associate Dean Nancy Martinsen next week.

“They're both very supportive of our cause and our mission,” said Caruso. “I think he might have a different vision than us, but either way, that vision would be technically complying, with what I, with what we want.”

Even with regular administration meetings, Caruso didn’t hesitate to criticize BU’s DEI efforts.

“I think they like to say that DEI whatever, but then they don't put action behind those words,” Caruso said. “And I think right now, it's such a crucial period where they can really prove whether or not it's an actual value to them or they're just using it to save face.”