MACE MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Magazine deadline Sunday, November 21.

Potential story idea
Across the country, a number of colleges and universities have been rolling back on DEI policies to conform to the priorities of the current Trump administration. The goal of this article is to first point that out and investigate ODU's stance on DEI, and then to examine how the institution is responding to these changes. Specifically, we will consider whether it is implementing such changes, rolling back policies, or taking a more opposing approach, as is typical of schools like Harvard.


sacrifice of a weekly article, we will be checking on if there’s any progress on the magazine

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In 2021, Old Dominion University ranked in the top 15% nationwide for overall diversity according to College Factual. The minority population constitutes a significant portion of the student population at ODU, with about 29% being African American, approximately 10% Hispanic and Latino students, and 5% Asian students. This shows that the university clearly has a diverse student body that reflects a broad range of cultural backgrounds and perspectives.

That being said, across the country, colleges and universities have faced growing political pressure to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, a trend accelerated under the second Trump administration. As schools navigate these forces, questions are emerging about where ODU stands. Are administrators actively defending DEI programs, quietly scaling them back, or waiting on the sidelines? These are the questions I am to address throughout the piece, and how the university responds could shape student experiences, faculty hiring, and campus culture for years to come.