Last Updated on April 16, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke

As debates over academic freedom and equity intensify, a new generation of college students is reshaping the value proposition of higher education. For many, the traditional metrics of prestige and ranking now matter less than one crucial factor: whether a campus feels like home.

Recent legislative crackdowns on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the U.S. are prompting prospective students to rethink not just where they want to study—but where they feel safe, respected, and empowered. In response, a grassroots movement led by student activists is gaining momentum, pushing back against what they see as a systematic erosion of inclusive policies.

The Growing Divide in Campus Culture

As of April 2025, more than 20 states have introduced or passed bills aimed at curbing DEI-related initiatives in higher education. These laws, championed primarily by Republican lawmakers, vary in scope. Some prohibit public universities from requiring diversity statements during hiring; others dismantle entire DEI offices, cut funding for identity-based student groups, or bar mandatory diversity training.

A memo issued in February by the Trump-aligned Education Accountability Commission intensified the battle, threatening to withhold federal funds from institutions that failed to comply with new anti-DEI mandates. The memo sparked investigations into over 50 colleges and universities and sent shockwaves through academic institutions nationwide.

While these policy changes may appeal to some political constituencies, they are also creating unintended consequences—chief among them, disillusionment among students.

Campus as a Community: What Students Are Really Looking For

“A sense of belonging is just as important as academic rigor,” says Maya Denaé Taylor, a senior at the University of Cincinnati and cohost of The Student Impact Report, a podcast powered by the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC). “Students want to feel seen and heard, not erased.”

This shift in student values is being reflected in college decision trends. According to a recent survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 38% of high school seniors cited “a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion” as a top-three factor in their college choice—up from 21% in 2018.

For historically marginalized students—such as students of color, first-generation college-goers, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities—DEI programs often serve as more than symbolic gestures. They’re lifelines.

Take Taylor Allgood, a Cincinnati native who chose to attend the University of Cincinnati after receiving the Darwin T. Turner Scholarship, a merit-based award created to support underrepresented students. “Without that scholarship and the support programs it came with, I would not have had the same opportunities,” she says. “It wasn’t just about the money—it was about the mentorship, the peer networks, and the affirmation that I belonged.”

From Scholarships to Safe Spaces: What’s Being Lost

Opponents of DEI argue that such programs create division or promote ideological conformity. But data tells a different story. Research from the American Council on Education shows that students who participate in DEI initiatives tend to have higher retention rates, better mental health outcomes, and more engagement in campus life.

Moreover, many DEI programs extend beyond race and identity to encompass food security, housing access, and disability accommodations—services that benefit the broader student population.

In North Carolina, for example, the closure of the DEI office at UNC-Chapel Hill last fall wasn’t just a symbolic loss. It led to the discontinuation of several programs supporting interfaith dialogue, accessibility training, and student wellness services. Jaleah Taylor, the university’s student body president, has been one of the most vocal opponents of these changes.

“We saw a drop in Black student enrollment after the office closed, despite the admissions office’s efforts to maintain diversity,” she says. “But it’s not just about numbers—it’s about who feels welcome.”

The Financial Fallout: Colleges at Risk

The culture war against DEI may also be costing states their competitive edge. Analysts at the Brookings Institution warn that declining enrollment among diverse student populations could reduce tuition revenues, particularly in public institutions that rely on in-state students.

States like Texas and Florida—both of which have taken aggressive steps to eliminate DEI infrastructure—are already experiencing pushback. A report released in March by the Southern Education Foundation found that public universities in these states reported up to a 12% decline in applications from out-of-state students, many citing “concerns over campus climate.”

Meanwhile, colleges that have maintained or even expanded their DEI programming—such as the University of Michigan and Oregon State University—are seeing increases in application numbers and improved student satisfaction scores.

A New Era of Student Activism

Faced with these challenges, students are organizing in new and powerful ways. On campuses from Chapel Hill to Columbus, coalitions are forming to fill the gaps left behind.

Jaleah Taylor, for example, is working with campus administrators to implement a student-led meal swipe donation program at UNC-Chapel Hill. Similar to initiatives at peer institutions like NC State and UNC-Charlotte, the program allows students to donate unused dining hall swipes to classmates in need. An internal survey found that 96% of students support the plan.

“What we’re doing isn’t radical,” Taylor insists. “We’re just trying to make sure that no student has to choose between eating and attending class.”

Her efforts build on a long legacy of student leadership at UNC. Past student body presidents, including civil rights advocate Reyna Walters-Morgan, have paved the way for civic engagement and equity. Walters-Morgan, now a top official at the Democratic National Committee, was instrumental in establishing early voting sites on campus and remains a symbol of what student activism can achieve.

Looking Ahead: Redefining Leadership in Higher Education

For many students, the current crisis is also a call to action. “The beauty of student leadership is that it renews itself every year,” says Allgood. “We’re seeing freshmen and sophomores step up in ways that are inspiring.”

This resurgence of student involvement is starting to impact institutional decision-making. At several universities, student councils are demanding that budget decisions and administrative hires include input from underrepresented communities. Others are working with faculty to reimagine curricula that center inclusion and critical thinking—regardless of political pressure.

“There’s a misconception that DEI is just about identity politics,” says Taylor. “But really, it’s about academic excellence. It’s about ensuring that different perspectives inform our understanding of the world.”

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters for the Future

As the 2025-26 college admissions cycle ramps up, the effects of these cultural and political clashes will become clearer. But one thing is already evident: students are no longer passive participants in their education. They are architects of campus culture, and their values—of inclusion, dignity, and justice—are driving institutional change.

In a landscape where policy shifts can come and go with each election cycle, the student voice remains a constant force.

“Legislation may silence offices,” Taylor concludes, “but it won’t silence students.”