The Equal Protection Project, led by Cornell professor William Jacobson, released a report titled “Poison Ivies: DEI and the Downfall of the Ivys,” examining the prevalence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training at Ivy League universities. Jacobson found that Ivy League institutions are sidestepping a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the use of race in university admissions decision-making. Despite claiming not to consider race in admissions, the report revealed that universities often provide essay questions for students to discuss their race, highlighting a disconnect between policy and practice.
The report found that four Ivy League universities require DEI training in student orientation programs, while six require faculty or staff DEI training. All eight institutions have DEI offices at the institutional and/or department level, with five having a strategic plan devoted to DEI or anti-racism. Additionally, all eight universities incorporate DEI or critical race theory topics in classes and curricula and have bias reporting systems. Jacobson noted that in environments dominated by DEI ideology, race still likely plays a role in admissions decisions, despite universities claiming otherwise.
Specific practices at Ivy League universities include all departments at Brown requiring a multiyear plan for DEI, Columbia implementing an “Inclusion & Belonging” program in orientation, and Cornell involving student groups in developing educational requirements focused on systemic racism and bias. Dartmouth mandates a culture and identity class for all students, while Harvard has initiatives such as the Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging and the Inclusive Teaching Institute. Princeton requires culture and difference classes and DEI training for employees and student leaders involved in admissions and hiring, and Penn has cultural diversity course requirements for all undergraduates.
In 2022, the Ivy League introduced DEI and environmental, social, and governance factors for business majors at Wharton, and Penn offers Projects for Progress grants focused on systemic racism. Yale mandates each school and administrative division to have a five-year plan on DEI. The Equal Protection Project aims to challenge race-based discrimination and has challenged scholarships and programs discriminating against White and Asian students at universities nationwide. Jacobson emphasized the importance of changing race-obsessed cultures at Ivy League schools in order to fully comply with the nondiscrimination standards set by the Supreme Court ruling.
Overall, Ivy League universities have implemented a range of DEI initiatives, including training programs for students, faculty, and staff, strategic plans devoted to DEI, bias reporting systems, and DEI topics in classes and curricula. Despite claiming not to consider race in admissions decisions, universities often provide opportunities for students to discuss their race in essays, suggesting a discrepancy between policy and practice. The Equal Protection Project aims to challenge race-based discrimination in higher education and promote a culture shift away from race-obsessed practices towards nondiscriminatory standards.
