The University of Southern California recently merged its Office of Inclusion and Diversity Team with its Culture Team after the Trump administration threatened to cut the federal funds of universities with DEI programs.
But the private, elite university continues to offer racially themed graduation parties and dorm sections for black, Latino and LGBTQ students — this despite recent guidance from the Office for Civil Rights that argued federal law prohibits using race in decisions pertaining to student housing and graduation ceremonies.
A USC webpage lists commencement ceremonies slated for this May for Asian and Pacific Islanders, as well as a “Black Graduate Celebration,” “Latinx/e Graduate Celebration” and a “Lavender Graduate Celebration.” Also listed are events for veterans, Greek Life, and athletes.
Its themed living learning communities also remain on tap. While its website states eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, or sexual orientation, themes include the “Rainbow Floor,” as well as “Latinx/e” and Asian and Pacific Islander sections.
USC’s media relations division has not responded to The College Fix’s requests for comment.
Mitchell Chang, UCLA’s interim vice provost for equity, diversity and inclusion, said at a town hall meeting in late February there are no plans to change the racially themed grad ceremonies or cultural dorm room floors, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“He cited recent court challenges, including a federal lawsuit by a teachers union over the DEI directive, that could prevent enforcement of the federal guidance,” the Times reported.
“We’re maintaining our regular course. … We’ll adjust as necessary. We have a plan B … we have to take these challenges to our DEI efforts very seriously and plan for potential dismantling of them,” Chang is reported as saying.
Other universities have taken a different approach. The University of Iowa recently announced, for example, it is discontinuing its living learning communities for black, Latino and LGBTQ students.
In mid-February, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague letter” that argued DEI programs often discriminate based on race, a violation of Title VI, and also contended the 2023 Supreme Court decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard covers more than just banning race-based admissions practices.
“Although SFFA addressed admissions decisions, the Supreme Court’s holding applies more broadly. At its core, the test is simple: If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person’s race, the educational institution violates the law,” the letter states.
“Federal law thus prohibits covered entities from using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life,” the letter states.
Heterodox at USC, a group of independent-minded scholars at the school, recently argued in its Substack that USC’s DEI changes are window dressing.
“Trump’s DEI crackdowns have also targeted racially segregated dorms and graduation ceremonies, which USC hosts. Our ‘Latine’ Graduation ceremony, for instance, boasts an ‘ethnic sash.’ So far, according to the LA Times, there doesn’t appear to be evidence that USC is jettisoning these bizarre offerings.”
In a March 10 Substack, the group also pointed out the university simply transferred its DEI officials to its Culture Team.
USC emeritus Professor James Moore echoed these concerns in a telephone interview with The College Fix, warning that ideological bias within USC’s individual schools persists despite administrative reassurances.
“I can count conservative professors on one hand, and those professors are in hiding,” he said, adding conservative scholars often face difficult choices, especially if applying to teach at USC.
“If you’re a conservative scholar trying to respond [to interview questions], you will have to lie persuasively,” Moore said, “or you’re going to be honest and suspect that you’re diminishing the likelihood you’re being further considered.”
Moore anticipates a reduction in DEI-driven policies nationwide due to financial pressure, predicting “a lot less virtue signaling” as institutions realize the seriousness of compliance.
“They’re being asked to do the right thing,” he said, “comply with Title VI and VII.”
MORE: USC founder’s controversial statue taken away for maintenance a year ago. It’s still gone.
IMAGE: Ganna Tokolova / Shutterstock
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