LAFAYETTE, La. — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has officially shuttered its Office of Campus Inclusion, part of a broader move to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, prompting concern and backlash from students, advocacy groups, and members of the local community.
In a statement released earlier this month, university officials confirmed the immediate discontinuation of all DEI-related programs and activities that are led, sponsored, or funded by the university.
The decision mirrors actions taken at several universities nationwide amid growing political scrutiny and opposition to DEI initiatives. Many of these shifts can be traced to policy changes and executive orders issued during former President Donald Trump’s administration, which targeted DEI efforts in educational and government institutions.
The local response has been swift and passionate. Demonstrators gathered at the UL Lafayette student union last week to voice their opposition to the cuts, expressing concern over the potential long-term impact on campus climate and student well-being.
“There’s a saying, ‘An injury to one is an injury to all,'” said Jae Regan, a representative from the Lafayette Inclusion Task Force. “If you hurt one of us, you hurt all of us.”
Regan pointed to what they described as a “nationwide hysteria” surrounding DEI programs, attributing the backlash to widespread misinformation and political pressure. “We really want UL and other Louisiana universities to be diverse, inclusive places where students can feel safe, respected, and get the quality education they deserve,” Regan said.
Among those affected are members of UL Lafayette’s LGBTQ+ community. Jolie Daigle, president of the student organization G.L.A.S.S. (Giving Love, Acceptance, Safety & Support), said the closure of the inclusion office leaves many students without essential support systems.
“There are so many resources on campus that are vital to our survival here that we can’t just go without them,” Daigle said. “Even though we are in the Deep South, where not many people think [inclusion] matters, it matters to us.”
G.L.A.S.S. and other campus groups have responded by drafting a call-to-action letter aimed at state officials and higher education leaders across Louisiana. The letter urges public universities to retain and reinstate DEI programs, emphasizing their role in fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Organizers say they hope the university administration will reconsider its stance and engage in dialogue with students and faculty about the future of DEI on campus.
“The goal is to draw as much attention as possible to the fact that inclusion really matters,” Daigle said.
UL Lafayette has not announced whether the closure is permanent or if any form of student support infrastructure will replace the former Office of Campus Inclusion. In the meantime, student activists say they will continue to advocate for resources they believe are essential to the university’s mission and the well-being of its diverse student body.