Why “Killing DEI” in Higher Ed Will Erode Allyship and Deepen Division
Dr. Marcia F. Robinson is a senior certified HR professional, diversity strategist, and curator of TheHBCUCareerCenter.com job board. She advises organizations on building inclusive talent pipelines and improving diversity recruiting outcomes.
The phrase killing DEI has surfaced in alarming policy proposals—defunding campus equity programs, eliminating federal DEI offices, and even barring international students. But if the goal is unity and allyship, this approach is dangerously backward. Removing spaces that support diversity doesn’t foster fairness—it weakens the foundation of inclusive community.
The Real Impact Behind “Killing DEI”
DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) frameworks—embedded in campus culture, hiring practices, and federal oversight—give students a voice and place to belong. When leaders talk about killing DEI, what they really mean is:
Defunding campus centers that nurture first‑generation, Black, brown, LGBTQ+, and international student communities.
Shutting down the Office for Civil Rights, removing protections for bias and harassment claims.
Silencing the very conversations that foster cross‑cultural fluency and empathy.
Without these frameworks, campuses don’t become more “neutral.” They become more divided.
DEI Is Not a Luxury. It’s Essential Infrastructure.
DEI initiatives aren’t marketing fluff—they’re bridges. They connect lived experiences, foster equitable opportunity, and prevent silent marginalization. When programs are stripped away, it’s not just optics that suffer—it’s the mental health, academic engagement, and sense of belonging of students who were already seeing the world through a different lens.
The Consequences of Banning International Students
Banning international students is another facet of killing DEI. These students:
Bring global perspectives that enrich classroom debate.
Expose domestic students to cultures and worldviews they’d otherwise miss.
Drive innovation and collaboration in labs, tech teams, and startups.
Removing international voices doesn’t make campuses safer—it narrows minds and undermines future global leadership.
Why “Neutrality” Is a Dangerous Myth
Arguing that killing DEI fosters “neutrality” overlooks one truth: systems aren’t neutral. If only power and privilege remain, norms shift in their favor—whether through admissions, campus leadership, or research funding. DEI is about recalibrating those systems toward fairness, not favoring one group over another.
The Leadership Imperatives We Can’t Ignore
To transform rhetoric into real allyship, campus and federal leaders must:
Reject calls to kill DEI—instead, protect and fund equity offices and multicultural centers.
Address systemic bias—embed civil rights protections across hiring, admissions, and campus safety.
Champion international inclusion—keep borders open for global learners who enrich U.S. education.
Center DEI in outcomes, not optics—measure graduation rates, job placements, and well‑being by identity group.
Cultivate ally cultures—teach students and staff how to intervene in bias and practice brave advocacy.
Invest in intercultural engagement—from curriculum design to living-learning communities.
Final Word: Killing DEI Doesn’t Save Trust—It Kills It
Policies aimed at killing DEI, defunding civil rights enforcement, or banning global students don’t bring unity—they fracture ecosystems of possibility. Allyship isn’t built by erasure—it thrives where justice is defended, voices are heard, and difference is embraced.
If we want campuses to become engines of empathy, innovation, and leadership, we must amplify—not obliterate—the infrastructures that make inclusion real.