In a significant move, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has reportedly closed its office of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
This development comes in the wake of the Trump administration's decision to withdraw grants from universities that operate DEI programs and have not adequately managed anti-Israel protests on their campuses.
As reported by the New York Post, MIT President Sally Kornbluth officially shuttered the Community and Equity Office last week. Prior to this, Kornbluth had forbidden the use of diversity statements in faculty recruitment or student admissions, according to the newspaper.
Additionally, a high-ranking administrative role at the institution will be abolished as part of a shift back to a merit-based focus.
"MIT is in the talent business. Our success depends on attracting exceptionally talented people of every background, from across the country and around the world, and making sure everyone at MIT feels welcome and supported, so they can do their best work and thrive," Kornbluth stated in a comment to the Post, relayed by an MIT representative.
MIT, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was one of over 50 universities under investigation for alleged racial discrimination as part of Trump's initiative to terminate DEI programs, as per CBS News. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized, "Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin," adding, "We will not yield on this commitment."
MIT has been actively opposing the administration's cuts to National Institute of Health (NIH) and Department of Energy grants for medical and scientific research. The institution recently disclosed that these grant reductions have cost MIT up to $35 million and compelled it to decrease the number of available spots for graduate students in its 2025-26 class by 8%.
In December 2023, Kornbluth was one of three university presidents who testified before the House about antisemitic protests on campuses and actions against Jewish individuals. The House subsequently passed a resolution criticizing the testimonies from Kornbluth, then-Harvard University President Claudine Gay, and then-University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill.
In recent times, Trump has exerted extraordinary pressure on Harvard, attempting to prohibit the university from admitting foreign students, terminating its contracts with the federal government, slashing its multibillion-dollar grants, and challenging its tax-exempt status. Harvard is contesting all these measures in court.
The Trump administration's actions reflect a commitment to uphold traditional values and individual freedom, emphasizing merit-based assessment over identity-based considerations. This approach aligns with conservative principles that prioritize limited government intervention and free-market economics.
The closure of MIT's DEI office and the broader campaign against such programs at universities across the country underscore the ongoing debate about the role of diversity initiatives in higher education.
While some argue that these programs promote inclusivity and equal opportunity, others contend that they can lead to reverse discrimination and undermine the principle of meritocracy. Amid this controversy, the Trump administration's stance is clear: merit and accomplishment should be the primary criteria for student assessment, not the color of their skin.
Login