Understand anti-DEI impacts.

Bans and limits on DEI programs are changing the college experience for all students.

• 100+ campuses have limited efforts to address experience-specific needs.
• Students who are veterans, of color, LGBTQ, disabled, & low-income are impacted most.
• These limits stifle cultures of support and belonging for all students.

Understand anti-DEI impacts

Media

Dozens of Campuses Shed or Alter DEI Efforts

Political pressure is changing essential services provided to students of color and LGBTQ students on campus.

The Chronicle of Higher Education

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Understand anti-DEI impacts

Media

Dozens of Campuses Shed or Alter DEI Efforts as Political Pressure Mounts

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Political pressure is changing essential services provided to students of color and LGBTQ students on campus.

Purpose

Understand how pending and enacted anti-DEI legislation is changing campus services across the country.

Key Takeaways

116 college campuses have altered or eliminated DEI offices and jobs in response to political pressures.

DEI offices have taken the greatest hit, with dozens of colleges renaming or closing departments.

Colleges cut funding for DEI programs and reassigned DEI employees to other parts of the institution.

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Understand anti-DEI impacts

Report

America's Censored Classrooms 2023: Higher Educ...

Pen America argues "educational gag orders" set the stage for the erosion of academic freedom.

Pen America

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Understand anti-DEI impacts

Report

America's Censored Classrooms 2023: Higher Education

Pen America

Pen America argues "educational gag orders" set the stage for the erosion of academic freedom.

Purpose

Learn how anti-DEI bills target the communities and practices that protect freedom of expression.

Key Takeaways

All but one of the bills classified by PEN as "educational gag orders" have emanated from the political right.

One significant and concerning policy gag order came from the political left in In 2023.

A liberal gag order with vague regulatory language threatens the pedagogy of community college faculty in CA.

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Share the benefits of DEI.

Education about the impacts of equity-focused programming dispels myths about these crucial efforts.

• Broad majorities of America support teaching free speech and accurate history.
• Inclusive practices promote productive civil discourse, an American hallmark.
• Programs that make all students feel welcome on campus encourage academic excellence.

Share the benefits of DEI

Toolkit

Educational Gag Orders In Your Community

Steps you can take as a citizen to help change the conversation in your community.

Pen America

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Share the benefits of DEI

Toolkit

Educational Gag Orders In Your Community: A Tip Sheet for Changing the Conversation

Pen America

Steps you can take as a citizen to help change the conversation in your community.

Purpose

Define actions you can take as a citizen to reframe diversity, equity, and inclusion in your community.

Key Takeaways

Reach out to others in your community by talking to your family, friends, and neighbors.

Write a letter to the editor or op-ed in your local paper to educate your community on educational gag orders.

Don’t be discouraged. Some “educational gag orders” have become law. Many bans are eventually reversed.

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Share the benefits of DEI

Toolkit

Making the Case for Academic Freedom

This toolkit helps campus leaders make a case for unregulated civil discourse.

Pen America

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Share the benefits of DEI

Toolkit

Making the Case for Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy in a Challenging Political Environment

Pen America

This toolkit helps campus leaders make a case for unregulated civil discourse.

Purpose

Find guidance on navigating discourse related to race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities.

Key Takeaways

Unregulated conversation & debate on college campuses protect our democracy and national well-being.

The best way to improve divisive, unproductive dialogue is to facilitate more dialogue, not restrict it.

Campus leaders, not government officials, are trained to decide what dialogue to facilitate & how.

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Learn from inspiring responses.

College leaders continue to create and protect campus environments that empower student learning and well-being.

• College leaders around the country are helping each other adapt and learn.
• Classroom censorship – and its resistance – have historical roots.
• State courts are slowing down and stopping anti-DEI legislation.

Learn from inspiring responses

Report

America's Censored Classrooms 2023: Legal Resis...

13 different lawsuits are pending against "educational gag orders."

Pen America

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Learn from inspiring responses

Report

America's Censored Classrooms 2023: Legal Resistance

Pen America

13 different lawsuits are pending against "educational gag orders."

Purpose

The lawsuit against Florida's HB 7, and popularly known as the Stop WOKE Act, has advanced the furthest.

Key Takeways

A senior staff attorney at ACLU declared litigation is a promising strategy for countering these gag orders.

A judge issued a preliminary injunction against sections of the Stop WOKE Act that affect higher education.

Florida’s attorneys are essentially arguing that public university faculty have no First Amendment rights.

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Learn from inspiring responses

Media

Students Discuss DEI and Anti-DEI Legislation

A series of videos focus on community college students talking about DEI and anti-DEI legislation.

Mike Gavin

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Learn from inspiring responses

Media

Students Discuss DEI and Anti-DEI Legislation

Mike Gavin

A series of videos focus on community college students talking about DEI and anti-DEI legislation.

Purpose

Center student voices about DEI and the backlash on DEI-related efforts.

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Connect with fellow educators.

Join a community of educators who believe diversity is our strength, equity is our future, and inclusion is our tool.

Connect with fellow educators

Webinar

CC President’s Role in Supporting DEI

A 75-min webinar exploring the evolving landscape of legislation impacting DEI efforts.

American Association of Community Colleges

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Connect with fellow educators

Webinar

Navigating Legislative Challenges: The Community College President’s Role in Supporting DEI Webinar

American Association of Community Colleges

A 75-min webinar exploring the evolving landscape of legislation impacting DEI efforts.

Purpose

Equip community college leaders with strategies to sustain DEI efforts despite restrictive legislation.

Key Takeaways

Anti-DEI efforts counter democratic pluralism and access, limiting social mobility.

Proactive strategies can safeguard DEI; align with board/boss for institutional resilience.

DEI is essential for diverse democratic communities; assert its values beyond defense.

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Connect with fellow educators

Media

Education for All: Discussions for College Preside

An event series for college and university presidents and association leaders to share and collaborate.

Education for All

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Connect with fellow educators

Media

Education for All: A Discussion Series for College and University Presidents

Education for All

An event series for college and university presidents and association leaders to share and collaborate.

Purpose

Join a virtual series for higher ed leaders looking to exchange support across state lines.

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