An unprecedented number of executive orders have been signed during the first few weeks of President Trump’s second term in office. Many of these executive orders have directly targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, or DEI, in the federal government.
Some Temple students have been concerned that these executive orders may impact DEI initiatives at the university, following a “Dear Colleague” letter sent out by the Department of Education that threatens funding for schools that have DEI policies. The letter also stated that schools at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels have two weeks to audit their policies.
Temple University President John Fry released a memo to students and faculty on Monday addressing the letter from the Department of Education. Fry stated that Temple will evaluate their policies to make sure they follow applicable law while reassuring that Temple’s mission to provide opportunities to students from all walks of life will continue.
Temple’s Institutional Diversity, Advocacy, Equity, and Leadership (IDEAL) program held a town hall meeting on Tuesday to provide what it called a “brave space” for students to speak their minds and to reflect on how Temple may be affected by this.
“I would say that our role absolutely has not changed in that we serve as advocates for students. So, my particular role in IDEAL is to really work alongside our students to ensure their sense of self but also their understanding of who they are,” said Dr. Nu’Rodney Prad, the Director of Student Engagement at IDEAL.
Dr. Prad emphasized the importance of a town hall as a safe space for students in a time of confusion.
“A town hall, in general, allows students to not only advocate for themselves, but to understand the resources our office, in particular, offers to them as well,” says Dr. Prad.
To find out more information about IDEAL and Temple’s Diversity program, click here.
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