The University changed one of its Unifying Values, “diversity, equity and inclusion,” to “community,” citing “cultural and political disagreements” surrounding DEI in a community-wide email Thursday. In the email, the Office of the Senior Vice President of Human Resources wrote the change would make the University’s language “precise and unambiguous” to comply with federal legal guidance.

“‘Community’ better captures the breadth of our purpose and mission,” the email read. “It embodies USC’s unifying commitment that we all respect and care for members of our community. It also reinforces USC’s commitment to diversity in thought and background where ideas are vigorously researched and debated.”

USC ramped up a review of DEI-related programs after the Trump administration and the Department of Education released policies targeting DEI and race-based decision-making. Other University webpages referencing “Diversity and Inclusion” were eliminated or had phrasing changes, including from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism as well as the School of Cinematic Arts.

On Feb. 28, the University’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity integrated into the Culture Team. A community-wide message from Provost Andrew Guzman and Senior Vice President of Human Resources Stacy Giwa announcing the change cited an increase in collaboration in USC’s “culture work.”