Vanderbilt University Scrubs DEI Page as Trump Bans Federal Funding for ‘Radical’ Diversity Programs

Vanderbilt University scrubbed its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) web page after a source told The Tennessee Star the institution planned to remove references to the controversial program over a two-day period.

According to archived internet sources, the Vanderbilt web page previously page titled, “Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)” was changed significantly some time between November 2, 2024 and February 2, 2025, with the information containing a new version of the page bearing no reference to DEI.

Despite the web address for the page still containing the text, “diversity-inclusion,” Vanderbilt rebranded its web page, “Our Commitment to Belonging, Collaboration, and Growth.”

A paragraph available on the November 2024 web page, but now excised entirely, specifically referenced the university’s DEI efforts:

Because of the wide range of faculty expertise and academic departments within the College of Arts and Science, our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is woven into the very fabric of our work, our community, and our mission. We recognize that incorporating diverse perspectives to solve problems enriches the A&S experience for our students, staff, and faculty. This inclusion is essential to our ability to examine issues from multiple perspectives.”

Instead of referencing DEI, the university now claims that through its wide range of faculty and academic offerings, “our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, supported and empowered to grow is woven into the very fabric of our work and our mission.”

A portion of the web page where Vanderbilt previously offered a list of five DEI programs at the university, including the Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice, and STEM Education and Training Program in the November 2024 version of the web page was also purged.

While most of these programs appear to be ongoing at Vanderbilt despite of the changes to the web page, a link on the November 2024 version to one of them, the Mellon Partners for Humanities Education program, now redirects to the Vanderbilt home page.

Previously described as an effort, “to further humanities education, research, and collaboration between Vanderbilt University and institutions in the Southeast that are essential to the development of students from underrepresented backgrounds,” it is unclear if Vanderbilt ended its participation in the program.

“Once you are a member of this community, we want to make sure you have what you need to thrive and succeed,” the web page states in the area previously devoted to listing DEI initiatives. “We understand that thriving looks different for everyone, which is why we provide resources to meet the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of our community.”

The same pattern is repeated later on the web page. Where the university previously acknowledged the fluid nature of DEI, it now calls for Vanderbilt students to engage in their community.

“We recognize that issues around EDI are dynamic and ever-changing,” Vanderbilt claimed on its the November 2024 version of the web page. “We do not claim to have definitive answers to these challenging questions, but we are committed to examining and reexamining how to build a truly inclusive intellectual community and, more importantly, to taking action on what we learn.”

In 2025, the university states, “Building a thriving community representing varied perspectives also demands active engagement. Each of us must participate in open dialogue, embrace collaboration and keep our minds open to other points of view.”

While Vanderbilt did not explain its changes, they occurred after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prohibits federal funding for “radical” DEI programs, and though Vanderbilt is a private university, the institution receives federal funding through grants.

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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].