RoQita singles out Purdue Fort Wayne over diversity efforts

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has called out Purdue University Fort Wayne in a social media post for maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on its website, as a federal deadline approaches for schools to discontinue such programs or risk losing funding. Rokita shared screenshots of the university’s website and questioned whether it would comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s directive, which mandates the cessation of DEI efforts by February 28. Purdue Fort Wayne responded by emphasizing that its DEI-focused strategic plan, developed in 2019-20, is set to expire in April, and the university will soon engage in a new planning process that prioritizes student success, teaching excellence, and regional economic support.

The federal directive, issued on February 14, has prompted varying responses from Indiana colleges. Indiana Tech recently announced the closure of its diversity and inclusion office, replacing it with a new Office of Culture, Community and Impact. Ivy Tech Community College will shut down its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging next month, affecting 31 employees. Other institutions, such as Trine University, Grace College, and the University of Saint Francis, stated they are unaffected by the directive, with Saint Francis reaffirming its commitment to dignity and justice. Indiana University and Huntington University are still evaluating the potential impact, while Manchester University is assessing compliance while advocating for students reliant on financial aid. Rokita also linked his post to the “Eyes on Education” portal, allowing users to report “objectionable” curricula or policies in classrooms statewide.