DEI office name change is symbolic, maybe necessary

By Thresher Editorial Board     3/4/25 10:44pm

Amidst federal funding cuts impacting research and firings of federal workers, higher education feels chaotic right now. At first glance, it seems alarming that Rice’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was renamed to the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence, announced in a campus-wide email. However, we feel this name change is mostly symbolic and necessary to ensure Rice can continue supporting those values — in action, if not in name.

The move comes in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s letter referring to DEI programs as discrimination based on “racial preferences” and “racial stereotypes.” Dittmar’s email said current services will be expanded, including the recently added staff position dedicated to LGBTQ+ Thriving. We are particularly heartened by plans to hire staff dedicated to religious pluralism and freedom of expression — though we hope the latter change comes alongside a reevaluation of recent changes to protest policy, seemingly developed without consulting students.

As the Trump administration enacts wide-ranging changes to higher education, Rice has seemingly doubled down on its efforts to support DEI, reaffirming its commitment through several campus-wide emails. It’s certainly not groundbreaking but, as peer institutions start to self-censor and scrub DEI language from their websites, we appreciate that Rice has so far held steady.

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It’s hard to stay hopeful right now. However, the administration’s attempt to reiterate their support is a signal that our identity as an inclusive institution is not at risk. While it’s frustrating to watch the words DEI disappear, we hope not much else will change. 

Still, Dittmar’s email and the expansion of current services is just the beginning. We are watching whether the administration’s words will match up to their actions, especially as federal research funding is threatened and as campuses become vulnerable to immigration enforcement. 

Editor’s Note: Thresher editorials are collectively written by the members of the Thresher’s editorial board. Current members include Riya Misra, Spring Chenjp, Maria Morkas, Sarah Knowlton, Sammy Baek, Shruti Patankar, Juliana Lightsey, Arman Saxena and Kathleen Ortiz.

Editor’s Note: Opinions Editor Sammy Baek recused himself due to his involvement with the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence. 

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