The Sonoma State University community is facing fear after President Donald Trump signed an executive order which restricts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in higher education, raising uncertainty among faculty and students. This order aims to limit federal funding for universities with DEI programs, leaving a significant impact on students with diverse backgrounds and affecting their campus experience and success. 

 Beyond impacting underrepresented students, it is argued that removing the DEI programs at Sonoma State will also harm the entire campus community. Bianca Delgado, Senior Coordinator for Intercultural and Undocumented Programs, emphasizes the consequence of the order. 

“The elimination of DEI programs impacts everyone. It doesn’t just impact folks of color or underrepresented communities. Diversity in thought, backgrounds, etc., is essential for innovation and growth of individuals and organizations,” Delgado said.

“Learning cultural humility and how to work cross-culturally is an asset to employers. Removing those programs is a disservice to students entering the workforce. Not to mention, that the loss of DEI programs could mean fewer mentorship opportunities, career pipelines, and support systems for students,” Delgado continued. 

The Department of Education under Trump’s executive orders sent a directive to schools and colleges who receive federal funding, to either eliminate their DEI initiatives, or lose funding. The DEI initiatives include using “race preferences or stereotypes” in their admissions, scholarships, hiring, etc., according to the letter sent to schools on Feb. 14, 2025.

Many student organizations that focus on racial justice and gender equality will struggle without any institutional support. The loss of DEI will also result in issues of discrimination and lack of awareness. In Feb. 2024 a Pew Research Center survey showed that 56 percent of U.S. employed adults believed focusing on DEI at work is a good thing. Public opinion suggests that removing DEI initiatives could affect students’ future workforce and the importance of diversity and inclusion. 

Fatima Zarco, an English major, voiced  a strong opposition to the executive order. “Donald Trump’s recent executive order ending DEI programs is an absolute tragedy. DEI allows marginalized groups to excel within our society by addressing racial disparities. The forceful end of these programs is not only bad for the economy, but harmful to university students that have felt heard, included, and safe through DEI programs and their employees’ initiatives,” Zarco said.

 “The termination of DEI is a step backwards in the United States’ long attempt at reparations and will only cause division as well as the silence of marginalized students and citizens,” Zarco continued.

Despite these challenges, students are determined to push back. Efrain Vega, a business management student, emphasized the deep connection between education and real life. Vega raised concerns about the possible consequences of these policy changes. 

“You can’t go through your daily life without school impacting it and you can’t go through school without your daily life impacting it,” Vega said. “Without DEI programs, students lose vital support systems that help them succeed academically and professionally.”