UD continues support for DEI on campus 

Sophia Blake | Contributing Writer

Dozens of black folders are stacked on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as the sun descends on Inauguration Day. With the swift glide of permanent marker President Donald Trump signs each executive order into effect, including Executive Order 14151. 

The executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” was signed Jan. 20. This mandate requires all federal agencies to revoke their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Pressure to conform to these regulations mounts for public and private institutions. Although only federal agencies are currently affected, the direction private institutions must take remains ambiguous.

Executive Order 14151 designates DEI methods as discriminatory and a waste of public spending. The director of the Office of Management and Budget, attorney general and director of the Office of Personnel Management are to enact the cessation of all DEI-related activities. 

A subsequent executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” was signed Jan. 21. DEI policies are claimed to hire people based on their race and sex, undermining values of hard work and individual skill. Several previous orders supporting DEI were rescinded, and the private sector is encouraged to adhere to these directives.        

The University of Dayton is a private campus funded by an investment pool which, in 2024, exceeded $1.2 billion. This qualifies UD for a civil compliance investigation of its activities regarding DEI. In light of these developments, UD President Dr. Eric Spina issued an announcement Feb. 5 concerning the university’s values. 

“At UD, we understand that diversity is a gift of God’s creation and we are committed to honoring the intrinsic value and dignity of all people – this long has been and will remain the center of our thinking and actions.”

Spina says UD will continue to abide by its Catholic, Marianist values of diversity and inclusion, which recognizes the value of everyone regardless of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation or disability. According to the American Psychological Association, DEI includes providing resources to underprivileged groups, amassing people from various backgrounds and welcoming diverse perspectives.    

UD works closely with the Office of General Counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws, such as the 2023 Supreme Court decision that struck down affirmative action. Although UD is compliant with these laws, it continues to advocate its core beliefs. Spina and Tiffany Taylor, vice president for diversity and inclusion, partner with groups such as the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. 

Several organizations, such as the Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center, support diversity on campus. As a treasured feature of the university, doubts about its security have arisen. In accordance with the law, it has a special emphasis but does not exclude anyone from participating in it. It is a learning environment open to all students, faculty and staff. Merida Allen, associate dean of students and executive director of the MEC, states that MEC is 55 years old and rooted in student activism. 

“No matter what we call it, no matter what the structure is, that work will continue, and I am certain that students will be the ones to continue to drive it,” Allen said.  

Communicating with students about their concerns is fundamental for UD’s decision-making. According to Taylor, officials at other universities are less likely to talk directly with students when considering policy changes. The willingness of faculty and staff to connect with students is what distinguishes UD from other institutions. This commitment is emphasized in Spina sharing meals with random groups of students several times per month. The conversation topics range from student housing to how the university supports a diverse student body.     

“Just the ability of our students to identify, without me telling them to, that diversity has made their experience here better, for me, is like a homerun,” Spina said.  

For more information regarding the future of DEI at the University of Dayton, contact Taylor at ttaylor4@udayton.edu. 

The swift glide of a permanent marker has begun Trump’s second term with sweeping crackdowns on DEI, an effort to maintain merit-based opportunities. UD, however, believes DEI ensures everyone acquires the opportunities they deserve. Although meeting legal challenges, UD’s culture of inclusivity will continue to be guided by the lived experiences of its students. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sophia Blake produced this article as part of CMM 330: Media Writing, a course offered through the Department of Communication at the University of Dayton. In this class, students develop writing skills for journalism and public relations across media platforms, emphasizing clarity, accuracy, and effective information gathering. This story, featured in Flyer News, examines the University of Dayton’s response to recent federal executive orders targeting DEI programs, and highlights how the university continues to uphold its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with its Catholic, Marianist values.