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The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) announced its decision to maintain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements within its accreditation standards, reversing its earlier proposal to modify these criteria.
UPDATE: "Feedback from WSCUC’s membership and interested organizations made clear that a deeper examination of any change would be necessary. Therefore, the institutional ‘commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion’ will remain in all the Standards." https://t.co/4xvEhwo1RX
— Jeremy C. Young (@jeremycyoung) December 16, 2024
Initially, WASC had suggested replacing the mandatory DEI commitment with a broader requirement focusing on institutional excellence and student success. However, this proposed change was withdrawn following significant input from its member institutions, including the University of California and California State University systems.
“Feedback from [WASC Senior College and University Commission’s (WSCUC)] membership and interested organizations made clear that a deeper examination of any change would be necessary,” the commission wrote in the announcement. “Therefore, the institutional ‘commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion’ will remain in all the Standards.”
The commission’s reversal came one day before its scheduled vote and shortly after their proposed changes became public knowledge.
This development occurs as various institutions grapple with DEI initiatives. UCLA, a WASC member, has intensified its diversity efforts despite legal concerns, particularly following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against racial discrimination in college admissions.
Amy Wax on DEI in medical schools: "The whole medical educational establishment is all in for DEI. Double standards everywhere. They are changing qualifying exams. They are making their exams easier. They are making them pass/fail."
Sounds bad. pic.twitter.com/Pf8wMCEFvU
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) October 6, 2024
Meanwhile, other institutions are moving away from DEI programs. The University of Michigan recently dismantled its program – the nation’s largest and most expensive – after research indicated it failed to achieve its diversity goals and instead heightened racial tensions. This trend extends to the corporate world, with major retailers like Walmart abandoning their DEI initiatives.
WASC did not provide immediate comment when contacted for additional information.
