Department of Education says funding will be cut off if ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ programs not discontinued

By Damian Mann for Ashland.news

Federal threats to stop funding campuses that support diversity programs have sent shock waves through Southern Oregon University and Ashland schools.

A majority of students at SOU rely on federal grants to help cover tuition, and roughly two-thirds of the school’s $65 million general fund budget is derived from federal dollars.

Educational institutions throughout the country received a “Dear Colleague” letter on Feb. 14 from the U.S. Department of Education notifying them to stop diversity, equity and inclusion programs by Feb. 28.

The letter, signed by Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, stated, “Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding.”

The letter states that schools have “toxically indoctrinated” students with the “false premise” that the U.S. is built on structural racism. At the same time, the letter maintains that discrimination based on race, color or national origin will continue to be illegal.

While the letter would likely face legal challenges, it raised the specter of more financial hits to schools that are already battered by budget problems.

The Ashland School District is looking at potential layoffs because of its shortfalls, and SOU has faced declining enrollment and staff reductions in recent years.

“It has been a very challenging last few weeks as we attempt to navigate the flurry of guidance from the federal government,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “We will make sure that we take the steps so that students can receive critical funding from the federal government.”

SOU remains committed to the principles his institution has embraced, Bailey said. “Every student knows they have a home with us,” he said. “We remain committed to the principle of everyone deserving the love and respect that they deserve.”

Bailey said he wants to work with the community to best navigate moving forward.

“These are challenging times and probably without precedent,” Bailey said. He said the university has proven itself resilient during the 153 years of its existence.

“We will navigate this and make sure we’re thriving 153 years from now,” Bailey said.

Many communities in Oregon have diversity programs at their schools. For example, the Medford School District has “DEI Teams” that help support students from other cultures.

In a separate development, according to a New York Times article, the Education Department on Monday canceled $600 million in grants focused on training teachers in “inappropriate and unnecessary topics” such as critical race theory, social justice activism, antiracism and “instruction on white privilege.”

In response, West Point has disbanded 12 affinity groups, including the National Society of Black Engineers Club, the Asian-Pacific Forum Club and the Vietnamese-American Cadet Association, according to the Times article.

Ashland schools and SOU also have a number of affinity groups that support families from other countries, including from war-torn Ukraine.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, blasted the Trump administration’s threats in an email response.

“Holding students and educators in southern Oregon as financial hostages because Donald Trump and Elon Musk don’t like decisions made locally is illegal, thuggish and hypocritical,” wrote Wyden.

He said it’s important to continue to invest in education in Ashland and at SOU where many students receive financial aid, which provides “a lifeline for a better future for Oregonians.”

“And I’m going to keep fighting for that lifeline against this indiscriminate assault launched from Washington, D.C.,” Wyden said.

At the Feb. 14 Ashland School Board meeting, a letter from Ashland resident Rhiannon Theurer, who has a child in Walker Elementary School, urged the district to speak out against President Trump’s executive order to take away protections for LGBTQ+ students.

Theurer stated that so-called “patriotic education” is being promoted by the Trump administration seeking to prevent transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports.

She urged the district to speak out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement being allowed on school campuses.

“The school board currently has a goal to ‘Create and maintain an environment that is welcoming, supportive and inclusive of all students and staff,’” Theurer wrote. “When will you speak out against the vicious attacks on our most vulnerable students, staff and families?”

At the same school board meeting, punctuated by many comments about the need to uphold values of inclusivity, Superintendent Joseph Hattrick told the.board that the executive orders are “not law.”

“We have been advised to stay calm because many of the executive orders have been stopped by litigation,” Hattrick said.

He said the governor’s office and many school boards are working together to develop a statewide response and to monitor these evolving issues.

“We will continue to uphold our every-student-belongs policy,” he said. “We love and care about everyone.”

In a Jan. 22 statement sent to families, Hattrick wrote, “I want to reassure you that at Ashland School District, we are steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and consistent environment for every student. As things ebb and flow, it is our highest priority to ensure that your child’s classroom and school will remain a consistent place for learning and growth where all people can thrive.”

However, as policy changes are announced, he said the district will consider the ramifications and continue to prioritize providing every student the education they deserve.

Rebecca Dyson, Ashland School District Board chair, affirmed in an email response that “Ashland School District stands for inclusivity and fosters education, environment and programs that support these ideals. This will not change regardless of any outside pressures. As our policy states, in Ashland every student belongs.”

Dyson said the district is “acutely aware of the anxiety and uncertainty” the executive orders have placed on staff and students.

She said the executive orders, which continue to evolve and change, will face extensive legal challenges and the district will continue to monitor them with other districts, community leaders and legislators.

The district remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all students regardless of background, nationality, gender or identity, Dyson said.

The primary concern will be the “safety and security of our students,” she said.

Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at [email protected].