Harvard University is ending its tradition of hosting special, racially segregated graduation ceremonies and is renaming its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging amid a fierce battle with the Trump administration, with the moves seen by some as a something of a concession.
The university made the announcements this week as it faces continued pressure from the Trump administration to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and address antisemitism. The administration also informed all colleges and universities in February that federal law prohibits using race in decisions pertaining to student housing and graduation ceremonies.
Moving forward, Harvard will no longer provide “funding, staffing, or spaces for affinity celebrations,” according to a university email, The Harvard Crimson reports.
The change to the DEI office also was announced Monday in an email to the campus from the head of what had been the Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, CNN reported.