Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has issued Executive Order 14151: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, Executive Order 14173: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, and the February 14th Dear Colleague Letter directing institutions to end programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In response, several lawsuits have been filed challenging the Executive Orders and Dear Colleague Letter. On February 21, 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking several provisions of the Executive Orders. With additional litigation and guidance expected, campus counsel must keep abreast of these developments to understand and deliver the best possible advice and counsel to your campus.
Please join us for a 30-minute audio-only briefing during which NACUA presenters, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr. and Lauren Schoenthaler, will provide an overview of the Executive Orders and the February 14 DCL relating to DEI, as well as legal challenges to those initiatives. The program will also cover practical discussions to have with your Presidents and Boards.
This briefing is part of NACUA’s Transition Updates: The First 100 Days Series.