USC is reviewing its diversity, equity and inclusion programs after the Trump administration and the Department of Education released policies targeting DEI and race-based decision-making. In a statement released Wednesday, President Carol Folt wrote the University is working to ensure its programs “comply fully with evolving legal requirements.”

On Feb. 14, the Department of Education released a letter announcing that K-12 and higher education institutions must eliminate the use of race in “decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic and campus life” or risk losing federal funding.

In 2024, USC received approximately $1.35 billion in federal funding, including $650 million in student financial aid and $569 million for federally funded research and discovery, according to Folt’s statement.

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The letter came after President Donald Trump issued an executive order Jan. 20 to end “equity-related” grants or contracts. However, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction Feb. 21, temporarily blocking the executive order.

“We are conducting this review to clarify the intent of our programs and practices, strengthen their effectiveness, and ensure alignment with our compliance obligations in light of recent executive orders and agency guidance,” wrote the University in an FAQ on its recent executive orders and federal agency actions webpage.

Folt wrote that the University is collaborating with higher education partners, including Big Ten Academic Alliance, American Association of Medical Colleges and Research America, and is in direct contact with members of Congress as well as federal agencies to ensure compliance.

“Our colleagues here and across the country are united in our determination that America’s great research institutions remain leaders in the world,” Folt wrote. “Our universities are crucial for national security, competitiveness and prosperity, and have always evolved to meet current challenges and opportunities.”

In the Department of Education’s letter, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for the Office for Civil Rights, argued that the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard prevents educational institutions from separating or segregating students based on race. Trainor wrote DEI programs “preference certain racial groups” and “stigmatize students who belong to particular racial groups.” 

Daniel Espinoza, a Ph.D. student studying K-12 education policy, said the Department of Education’s letter doesn’t have the force of law but shows how the department intends to interpret the law.

“The letter is best understood as a threat from the department,” Espinoza said. “There are broad and sweeping and ambiguous statements in the letter. And I think that’s intentional, in order to make it challenging to fully understand the implications.”

Race is not listed as a factor in determining financial aid eligibility on the University’s website. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard also restricts universities from considering race as a factor in admissions. 

According to the USC Department of Contracts and Grants, the existing terms and conditions for federal awards granted to research projects will remain the same as long as the award is active, however, DCG noted researchers may receive updates to research compliance and reporting requirements. 

USC has received a pause on four projects on federal contracts or grants, according to the University FAQ.

A database published Feb. 10 of  “woke DEI” research compiled by Sen. Ted Cruz found that USC researchers received roughly $10.6 million in National Science Foundation grants across 19 research projects, which it termed as promoting DEI or “neo-Marxist class warfare propaganda.”

“The letter from the ED could scare educational leaders from demonstrating the benefits of DEI initiatives that help students … which could include clubs, organizations and funding for those vital programs,” said Gary Duran, a Ph.D. student studying education.

The School of Cinematic Arts has removed the “Diversity and Inclusion” page from its website. Clicking on the page now displays a message stating, “the page you are looking for appears to have been moved, deleted, or does not exist.”

The Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism changed its “Diversity and Inclusion” page to “Mission and Vision.” Other content on the page remained unchanged. 

The University did not respond to the Daily Trojan’s request for comment about the website changes in time for publication. 

Folt did not confirm whether classes discussing DEI, including those under the University’s “Equity in a Diverse World” general education requirement, will be affected. In the Spring 2025 semester, 39 classes fell under this GE requirement.

Duran said eliminating DEI and race-based programs may have unanticipated consequences on the University, including impacting the livelihood of DEI researchers and professors.

“Education institutions are looking at whether or not some of the rhetoric that is coming from the Trump administration is going to impact and influence the material realities that influence campus life every single day,” Duran said. “These vital DEI initiatives support student success, retention and graduation.”

The Department of Education’s letter did not mention initiatives and programs related to the LGBTQIA+ community. It also didn’t confirm if race-based student organizations or assemblies will be affected. 

“Ever since I came to [Los Angeles] and USC, I’ve had a need to be part of these clubs, to not only grow in my racial and ethnic identity but also to connect with people who have the same identity as me or want to learn about my identity,” said Nike Taylor, a member of the Black Graduate Student Network. “For these clubs to be erased, that would be a shame.”

Taylor, a master’s student majoring in postsecondary administration and student affairs, said complying with the decision is a temporary solution. 

“They’re just going to keep asking for more and more until you wish you never took the one step of compliance in the first place,” Taylor said. “It would eventually be a disadvantage towards the students, particularly those of color, and it would no longer allow room for safe spaces within our University.”

USC has multiple race-based residential communities, student centers and graduation ceremonies, which could be impacted by Trump’s executive orders and the Department of Education’s requirements. However, these programs are open to students of all races.

The University did not respond to the Daily Trojan’s request for comment about how race-specific programs will be affected in time for publication.