Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke
As colleges and universities across the United States grapple with a wave of anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) legislation, students are stepping up to create their own spaces of belonging, resisting efforts to dismantle programs designed to support marginalized communities. Despite legislative bans and institutional rollbacks, student-led initiatives are emerging as a powerful force to foster inclusivity, proving that the drive for equity in higher education is far from extinguished.
The Anti-DEI Movement Gains Momentum
Since 2022, over 40 states have introduced or passed legislation targeting DEI initiatives in higher education, with states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee leading the charge. These laws, often framed as protections against “divisive” or “discriminatory” practices, have eliminated DEI offices, banned mandatory diversity training, and restricted discussions of systemic racism in classrooms. In Florida, Senate Bill 266, effective since July 2023, prohibits public colleges from funding DEI programs that engage in “political or social activism.” Texas followed suit with Senate Bill 17, which shuttered campus DEI offices and ended diversity statement requirements in hiring processes. By June 2025, a Chronicle of Higher Education report documented that over 350 colleges had altered or eliminated DEI-related programs, offices, or jobs in response to political pressure.
The impact is tangible. At the University of Texas at San Antonio, the Office of Inclusive Excellence was dismantled, and over 300 DEI-related programs were cut by 10%. The University of Utah closed its Black Cultural Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Center for Equity and Student Belonging, redirecting resources to a new Community and Cultural Engagement Center open to all groups. These changes have left students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, feeling isolated and unsupported. A 2024 study from the Journal of Sociology found that while anti-DEI laws led to the closure of many DEI centers, they paradoxically spurred an increase in student-of-color organizations, with Black, Latinx, and Native American student groups growing in states with restrictive policies.
Students Take the Lead
Amid these challenges, students are not standing idly by. Across campuses, they are forming new organizations and revitalizing existing ones to fill the gaps left by defunded DEI programs. At the University of Florida, for instance, the Black Student Union and Latinx Student Association have expanded their programming, hosting cultural events, mentorship programs, and safe-space discussions to foster a sense of community. “When the university stopped funding our DEI office, we knew we had to step up,” says Maria Gonzalez, a junior and president of the Latinx Student Association. “We’re not just fighting for our right to belong; we’re creating spaces where everyone feels seen.”
This trend is not limited to Florida. At the University of Texas at Austin, students launched the Coalition for Campus Unity in 2024, a student-run group that organizes workshops on cultural competency and mental health for marginalized students. The coalition, which operates without university funding, relies on crowdfunding and partnerships with local nonprofits. “We’re proving that belonging isn’t something you can legislate away,” says coalition founder Jamal Carter, a senior majoring in sociology. “If the administration won’t support us, we’ll support each other.”
Data from a 2025 report by EdTrust highlights the critical role of student-led initiatives in maintaining campus inclusivity. The report notes that 60% of students of color at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) report feeling a stronger sense of belonging when engaged in identity-based student groups. These organizations provide not only social support but also academic resources, such as peer tutoring and scholarship workshops, which are crucial for retention and graduation rates.
The Broader Context: A Moral and Economic Imperative
The push against DEI comes at a time when higher education is already navigating significant challenges. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened investigations into 50 universities, including Carnegie Mellon, for alleged “race-exclusionary practices” in graduate programs, threatening federal funding for non-compliance. Meanwhile, the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions has forced institutions to rethink how they maintain diverse student bodies. A 2025 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges showed a 3.2% decline in Black and Latinx enrollment in medical schools since the ruling, raising concerns about future workforce diversity.
Critics of anti-DEI policies argue that these measures undermine the economic and social benefits of diverse campuses. A 2024 study by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education found that institutions with robust DEI programs see higher graduation rates among students of color (72% vs. 65% at institutions without such programs) and better prepare graduates for diverse workplaces. “DEI isn’t just about fairness; it’s about competitiveness,” says Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the association. “Employers want graduates who can navigate diverse teams. By dismantling DEI, we’re shortchanging students and the economy.”
Students echo this sentiment. “I’m studying engineering, and every major tech company values diversity,” says Aisha Patel, a sophomore at Texas A&M University. “If our universities can’t prepare us for that reality, they’re failing us.” Patel is part of a student group advocating for the reinstatement of diversity statements in faculty hiring, which were banned under Texas law. The group has collected over 5,000 signatures on a petition to state legislators, signaling growing student activism.
Resistance and Resilience
The resistance to anti-DEI policies extends beyond student organizations. Faculty and administrators are also finding creative ways to preserve inclusivity. At Delta College, a community college in Michigan, President Mike Gavin has prioritized “culturally responsive practices” in teaching, focusing on pedagogy that supports diverse learners without explicitly labeling it as DEI. “We’re not giving up on our students,” Gavin says. “We’re just finding new ways to ensure they feel valued.”
Similarly, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is challenging anti-DEI directives in court, arguing that they infringe on academic freedom. “This is a political intrusion into higher education,” says AAUP president Todd Wolfson. “We’re fighting to protect the right of universities to create inclusive environments.” In North Dakota, former chancellor Larry Isaak has publicly opposed anti-DEI bills, warning that they threaten institutional accreditation and faculty recruitment.
Students, too, are leveraging legal and advocacy tools. At the University of Utah, two student clubs disaffiliated from the university to avoid anti-DEI restrictions, allowing them to continue hosting events on systemic racism and intersectionality. “We’re not breaking any laws,” says club leader Sarah Nguyen. “We’re just operating independently to keep our mission alive.”
The Road Ahead
As the 2025-2026 academic year begins, the battle over DEI in higher education shows no signs of slowing. With more states expected to introduce anti-DEI bills in upcoming legislative sessions, students and advocates are bracing for further challenges. Yet, the resilience of student-led initiatives offers hope. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about our future,” says Gonzalez. “We’re building the campus we want to see, one event, one conversation at a time.”
The rise of anti-DEI policies has undoubtedly created a chilling effect on campuses, but it has also sparked a new wave of student activism. By creating their own spaces for inclusion, students are proving that belonging is not just a policy—it’s a movement. As Carter puts it, “No law can stop us from making sure everyone has a seat at the table.”
