University of California removes diversity statement mandate from hiring process amid Trump administration crackdown
The University of California announced on March 19, 2025, that it is eliminating the requirement for diversity statements as part of its hiring process. The move comes in the wake of increasing pressure from the Trump administration, which has been targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across US universities. This decision marks a significant shift in how the prestigious institution approaches faculty hiring, amid fears of federal funding cuts.
This policy change, revealed in a letter by UC Provost Katherine Newman to academic administrators, reflects broader shifts within the university system as it responds to the federal government’s stance on DEI programs. According to the Los Angeles Times, the requirement, which asked faculty applicants to submit statements on their past contributions to diversity and their plans to promote it, will no longer be mandatory.
The end of diversity statements in hiring
The University of California’s leadership emphasized that the decision to drop the diversity statement requirement was driven by concerns over the focus it placed on an aspect of an applicant’s candidacy that might not align with their expertise or experience. In her letter, Provost Newman explained that such statements “may lead applicants to focus on an aspect of their candidacy that is outside their expertise or prior experience,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
UC President Michael Drake, addressing the decision during a meeting of the Board of Regents, noted that the university is currently facing financial uncertainties, including an impending 8% state budget cut and the looming risk of losing federal funding. He emphasized that while diversity statements would no longer be part of the hiring process, the university would continue to serve its communities from various backgrounds and perspectives, ensuring a commitment to diversity in other ways.
Federal pressure on DEI programs
The Trump administration has been increasingly vocal in its efforts to curb DEI initiatives in US educational institutions. Just this month, the US Department of Education scrapped $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University over its failure to address antisemitic harassment, a move that underscores the administration’s growing scrutiny of DEI programs across the country. As reported by the New York Times, the department also issued a warning to other universities, suggesting that continued involvement in DEI practices could jeopardize federal support.
UC’s decision aligns with these federal pressures. Notably, the Trump administration had threatened to withhold federal funding from universities that maintain DEI programs, and the Education Department launched a series of investigations into several US campuses, including UC Berkeley, over allegations of discrimination related to race, religion, and national origin.
A controversial shift
The decision to drop diversity statements has sparked mixed reactions. Some supporters argue that the requirement unfairly focused on diversity at the expense of academic qualifications, while critics contend that it undermines efforts to create a more inclusive campus environment. UC faculty member Brian Soucek, a law professor at UC Davis, expressed disappointment over the move, suggesting that it reflected an appeasement of the Trump administration’s anti-DEI stance, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Despite the change, UC will still allow faculty members to highlight their inclusive academic achievements during the academic review process, though diversity statements will no longer be a standalone requirement. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about the role of DEI programs in higher education across the US.
