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ST. LOUIS — Washington University has quietly removed many references to the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion from its websites amid rising federal scrutiny of higher education.

A statement on WashU Libraries’ commitment to “inclusion, diversity, equity, and access” was taken down around July 7.

“Our goal is to incorporate IDEA and antiracism as an integral part of our practices, policies and culture,” the now-purged  read, in part.

Websites of schools and departments — including , , and  — no longer include statements on their commitments to fostering inclusivity and promoting equitable access.

A few other pages that included statistics on WashU’s efforts to improve student and employee diversity have also been removed.

The webpages are just a few examples of what’s been wiped from WashU’s digital footprint amid a broad push by President Donald Trump’s administration to eliminate DEI policies and programs across the United States.

Universities and colleges with federal funding on the line have been especially vulnerable, and WashU is no exception. A leading beneficiary of government research spending, WashU received $732 million in funding  in fiscal year 2024 and was second-highest recipient of NIH funding.

“It certainly gives me cause for concern that the university may be selling out their DEI programming and messaging for the sake of the university’s finances,” said Greg Magarian, a professor of law and member of WashU’s new American Association of University Professors chapter.

The changes in messaging follow the university’s review of its DEI practices, prompted by presidential executive orders aimed at diversity initiatives.  

On May 7, WashU leadership announced a committee would examine the university’s programs and activities related to DEI. 

The review would likely involve “changes in operations and activities” as well as university communications and “potential updates to websites or other materials.”

“With public attention focused on our institutions, now is a good time for us to take stock of our efforts and make sure we’re approaching this important work in a manner that will be most beneficial to our community,” Provost Beverly Wendland said in a press release at the time. 

When questioned about the removed websites, Julie Flory, vice chancellor for marketing and communications, repeated much of the press release.

“The review is ongoing and there may be additional changes as we continue to work toward our community-focused goals,” Flory stated in an email on Tuesday.

Mimi Calter, vice provost and university librarian, cited the review committee when she announced changes to WashU Libraries’ website.

During a time of “increased scrutiny from the federal government,” Calter said in an email to staff dated July 7, “it is prudent to review all our programs and develop mechanisms for ensuring ongoing legal compliance.”

“Some of you have expressed concern that changes like this signal a retreat from core values, and I do understand those concerns,” Calter wrote. “However, it is necessary to pause school, department and unit-specific initiatives and communications at the moment to allow time for the review committee to develop guidance about our efforts in this area.”

A biography page for Rudolph Clay, head of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Engagement at WashU Libraries and subject librarian for African and African-American Studies, was also removed from the libraries’ website. Flory did not answer a question about Clay’s employment status. Clay did not return a message seeking comment.

Magarian acknowledged WashU may have to make trade-offs to protect the  it has received in research funding. But he’s worried about the compromises the university would be willing to make at the cost of its intellectual and academic freedom.

The DEI statements, he said, showed people from marginalized communities they were welcome at WashU.

“None of that stuff presents any kind of legitimate legal problem,” said Magarian, who specializes in constitutional law. “In fact, to whatever extent the government is putting pressure on WashU to scrub this stuff... it violates the First Amendment.”

‘The message is clear’

Some universities have resisted the White House. Among the most prominent, Harvard University sued the Trump administration for freezing over $2.2 billion in research dollars and rejected demands that the university make certain admissions and hiring reforms. 

Other universities, however, have capitulated to new government directives. More locally, Missouri State University ended its DEI programs and eliminated diversity hiring policies, the . University of Missouri at Columbia  and ended the position of vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity and equity in 2024, citing state measures to reduce DEI programs.

“People are scared in higher education — and, sadly, they have a right to be,” said Amy Reid, Freedom to Learn senior manager at .

Paulette Granberry Russell, president and CEO of , said it’s becoming more commonplace for colleges to erase DEI from their websites.

“The message is clear,” Russell said. “If you fight, you will be punished.”

WashU officials have mostly avoided taking public stances against federal actions. In a , WashU Chancellor Andrew Martin and Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said research institutions should practice “institutional neutrality.” In April, Martin’s name was noticeably absent from a list of nearly 700 higher education leaders who signed onto an against government intrusion.

Humza Hermani, a Ph.D. student studying biomedical informatics, said removing DEI statements sent a negative message to minority students.

“It’s a very clear indicator WashU is willing to throw students who are vulnerable or from underrepresented backgrounds under the bus to appease an administration that is actively working against higher education,” Hermani said.

But several pages that reference WashU’s commitment to promoting DEI, or the spirit of it, remain on the university’s websites. 

WashU Medicine’s  says the school the school is committed to diversifying its ranks. A dedicated to WashU’s inclusion efforts still contains a front-page statement saying WashU would pursue and value equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas.

And the for WashU’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion still promotes its four offices and programming for students from underrepresented or marginalized populations.

“Do I think that statements on websites ensure a climate of free expression or inclusion on campuses? No,” Reid said. “But I think there’s a mild positive impact from having values such as diversity, equity and inclusion appear on websites. It’s a gesture that helps people feel seen and included.”

While some messages promoting diversity remain, many others have been deleted or pulled from the public view.

One page on , called existed until at least April 28, the last time the nonprofit Internet Archive captured a version of it. It included year-to-year data of student, faculty and staff demographics, with graphics showing WashU’s share of female, Asian and Hispanic populations of students and faculty rising — and its share of white students declining — as well as statistics on WashU’s socio-economic diversity improving.

Another page called  boasted WashU’s “rich history of activism and progress,” with an interactive timeline showing milestones on DEI-related issues. It began in 1869, when WashU School of Law became the first chartered law school in the U.S. to admit women.

The timeline charting the university’s progress also was removed sometime after April 28.