Many University websites, including those affiliated with admissions, academic departments, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, have been updated to reflect Princeton’s ongoing commitment to diversity and non-discrimination. On Jan. 20 and 21, Trump issued executive orders aimed at curbing DEI programs at universities and other “influential institutions,” effectively banning DEI programming in any initiative that receives federal funding.
However, both the University and individual departments emphasized that these adjustments do not signal any changes in how they approach diversity-related communication or programming.
According to a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on Inclusive Princeton, the site for the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, “Diversity and inclusion are core values of the University and we will continue to express that in our communications. Princeton is making efforts to ensure its websites contain updated and accurate information related to ongoing diversity and inclusion programs and activities.” When asked about these changes, University spokesperson Jennifer Morrill referred The Daily Princetonian to the FAQ page.
“The University has added a footer to many websites providing a link to more information about our commitments to diversity and nondiscrimination,” the site noted.
A new “Diversity and Non-Discrimination” statement that outlines Princeton’s principles now appears on numerous University pages. Among the sites updated are the Undergraduate Admissions website, the Graduate School’s “Access, Diversity, & Inclusion” homepage, and various departmental websites.
“All departments were asked to ensure that their websites were up to date and in conformity with the most recent university guidelines,” Professor Simon Gikandi, the Chair of the English Department, wrote in a statement to the ‘Prince.’ “Minor changes were made to the website to (a) update the information if necessary and (b) to conform with common university practices.”
Compared to an archived version of the site, the English department’s website now features a hyperlink to the University’s diversity statement and includes a non-discrimination clause beneath its existing Statement on Anti-Racism.
Other departments have followed suit. The Near Eastern Studies department, the University Center for Human Values, and the economics department are among sites that have hyperlinked the “Diversity and Nondiscrimination” page at the bottom of their sites. Many departments did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
“These changes do not signify any changes to the department’s programming or values; on the contrary, they reinforce the department's core values by making sure that there are no ambiguities about our intellectual mission, especially our commitment to free speech and inquiry,” Gikandi wrote.
On March 7, the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) asked student organization leaders to include a statement on their websites and social media pages affirming that events and programming are “open to all Princeton University students regardless of identity, such as race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected characteristics.”
While Princeton has staunchly maintained, and even increased, public messaging on DEI, other institutions across the country have made noticeable changes. On Feb. 14, the University of Pennsylvania removed DEI-related language from the websites of all 16 of its undergraduate and graduate schools. In January, Stanford University took down multiple DEI-related resources, such as surveys, dashboards, and pages for its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in a Learning Environment (IDEAL) and DiversityWorks websites.
“To maximize excellence, we seek talent from all segments of American society and the world, and we take steps to ensure everyone at Princeton can thrive while they are here,” part of Princeton’s Diversity and Non-Discrimination statement reads. “That is the sole rationale and purpose of our diversity and inclusion programs.”
Sena Chang is a senior News writer for the ‘Prince.’ She typically covers campus and community activism, the state of higher education, and alumni news.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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