Following a directive from the Department of Education that stated schools must terminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts or lose federal funding, Grand Rapids Community College sent out an email to the campus community on Friday, Feb. 28 stating that the college will remain committed to inclusion.
“We believe in creating a learning environment where everyone can thrive,” the email stated. “Our commitment to inclusion and ensuring open and equal access to GRCC programs and services for all of our students and members of our community is integral to our values and our educational approach.”
Sheila Jones, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, informed The Collegiate via email that GRCC is continuing to “monitor the situation closely,” and stated that the directive does not alter the “core principles” of the college.
“GRCC reviews its policies and practices on a regular basis, including whenever it receives legal or regulatory guidance,” she stated. “In all cases, GRCC will work to continue to comply with legal requirements while ensuring students and employees continue to receive the services they rely upon.”
The directive, which was sent out on Feb. 14, claims that “Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices.”
The letter then went on to name DEI as a discriminatory practice, claiming that these efforts perpetuate race consciousness and stated that “The Department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation’s educational institutions.”
To combat this, the Department of Education gave all educational institutions two weeks to comply or lose federal funding.
According to Jones, GRCC has not been made aware of any changes to the amount of federal funding the college will receive. Last fiscal year, the college received a total of $34.4 million in federal funding.
“GRCC remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and we will continue to provide equal access to all programs and services. We will continue to monitor and assess new developments as they arise,” Jones stated. “However, we will also continue to work to ensure any changes that might become necessary are carefully considered and appropriately communicated.”
GRCC President Charles Lepper could not be reached for comment.
