Heidelberg disbands DEI Committee

TIFFIN — Heidelberg University has disbanded its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), citing recent federal executive orders and state legislation as reasons for the decision in an email sent to faculty and students. The news was delivered late Wednesday afternoon, in which HU President Rob Huntington explained that the move was prompted by legal guidance and a need to ensure compliance with new federal and state laws. Cited within the email was a series of executive orders addressing higher education, with some specifically targeting DEI initiatives the federal government has recently issued. The email cited the Federal Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights as re-enforcing these directives with a "Dear Colleague Letter" delivered on Feb. 14. The letter instructed institutions to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws and eliminate race-based programs by Feb. 28 or they would be at risk of losing funding. While the letter primarily applies to public institutions, the email states "private institutions are also subject to this scrutiny." It's a formal memo from the Trump administration and according to a recent article from the Associated Press, "gave schools two weeks to halt any practice that treats people differently because of their race." The article states the guidance appears to forbid everything from classroom lessons on racism to efforts to recruit in diverse areas and even voluntary student groups like Black student unions. According to the memo, "All educational institutions are advised to: (1) ensure that their policies and actions comply with existing civil rights law; (2) cease all efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends; and (3) cease all reliance on third-party contractors, clearinghouses, or aggregators that are being used by institutions in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race." "At its core, the test is simple: If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person's race, the educational institution violates the law," stated the memo. The memo stated that although some programs may appear neutral on their face, a closer look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations. "And race-based decision-making, no matter the form, remains impermissible." Additionally, the university pointed to Ohio's recently passed Senate legislation ending DEI initiatives at public institutions as a factor in its decision. In response, Heidelberg has sought legal counsel from multiple sources, including its chief legal counsel in Tiffin, the Columbus-based law firm Bricker Graydon and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio. As stated in the email, "legal guidance has been consistent in advising a thorough review of institutional policies and practices," said Huntington. The college's announcement explained that Heidelberg had already begun "reviewing and pausing our DEI initiatives" earlier this month and that the DEI committee had been on indefinite pause since Jan. 31. With the support of director of student affairs Aaron Nelson and Chief human resources and compliance officer Victoria Black, the university's leadership has now opted to disband the committee entirely. "This committee has done lots of good work since we launched it in Fall 2019," Huntington stated in the email, thanking those who had served on it. While the committee will no longer operate, the email assured the campus community that Heidelberg remains committed to supporting all students and fostering an inclusive environment. "Making sure that all members of our community feel respected and valued remains at the core of who we are and who we will continue to be." The university acknowledged that the situation remains fluid, with legal interpretations continuing to evolve. The email concluded by encouraging students and faculty to reach out to the Strategic Leadership Team or Nelson with any questions or concerns. Heidelberg provided a statement regarding the decision: "Heidelberg University was founded in 1850 as a welcoming and vibrant co-educational institution. We welcome students from all backgrounds, and we want all members of our community to feel that genuine sense of care and support. Our stated institutional Mission, Vision and Values have not changed. Making sure all members of our community feel respected and valued remains at the core of who we are and who we will continue to be. "Whether we have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee or whether we don't. We remain committed to our core values. We believe in people. We are one learning community of Opportunity Makers."