Trends in Student Affairs Responses to Anti-DEI Legislation

From 2021 to 2024, there has been a marked increase in legislation intended to limit public higher education institutions’ capacity to carry out DEI-related initiatives. More specifically, this legislation restricts institutions’ abilities to provide exclusive services to any specific identity groups of students or promote specific identity-based groups over any others. 

In this changing environment, partner institutions approached EAB researchers with questions such as:

• What are the key processes institutions are using to adapt to recent legislation limiting DEI efforts on campus?
• How have institutions affected by this legislation changed their organizational structures to adapt to recent legislation limiting DEI efforts on campus?
• How should institutions likely to be affected by anti-DEI legislation in the future start planning to ensure a smooth transition?
• How does anti-DEI legislation impact the recruitment and retention of staff and faculty, both in general and for those with DEI-oriented work?

To help higher education leaders navigate these policies, in February 2024 EAB conducted extensive secondary research on anti-DEI legislation passed in the U.S. since 2021 and interviewed student affairs leaders at four institutions that have restructured their organizations in response to this legislation.

Download our report for a summary of our findings. The report provides a synopsis of legislation from 2021-2024 aimed at limiting college campuses from carrying out DEI-related initiatives, as well as how universities impacted by this legislation have responded. While there are many types of restrictions, this report focuses primarily on institutions impacted by legislation that prohibits the creation, maintenance, or funding of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office.

Download the Report