Two of the city’s major universities have removed the word “diversity” from webpages previously focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
UMass Boston is the latest, appearing to have updated its DEI page Tuesday. As of early afternoon, a headline on the site was changed to say “Inclusion & Belonging.” An archived version of the same page dated January 24, 2025, showed the page was previously titled “Diversity & Inclusion.”
A commitment statement on the same page was also changed to encourage students to bring their “whole identity to campus—your unique lived experience, heritage, culture, and beyond.” Words like ethnicity and gender identity, previously included, were omitted in the update.
The decision follows a similar move last week by Northeastern University, which replaced its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website with “Belonging at Northeastern.”
Schools across the country are reviewing their DEI sites and policies amid recent changes in Washington, DC. New orders from the Trump administration ban DEI policies in programs that receive federal money. Many colleges and universities rely on government funding for research and projects.
Despite the changes, schools say they remain committed to fostering diversity and inclusion on campus and in classrooms.
“While internal structures and approaches may need to be adjusted, the university’s core values don’t change,” said Renata Nyul, VP of Communications for Northeastern. “We believe that embracing our differences — and building a community of belonging — makes Northeastern stronger.”
UMass Boston said changes to its site mirror the hiring of the university’s first Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging last summer.
“That position was an outgrowth of the previous Assistant Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” said DeWayne Lehman, director of communications for UMass Boston. “Since then, our website has featured content related to this office.”
Universities are not alone in trying to figure out how to best navigate the requirements of a new presidential administration while also upholding their own diversity efforts. Boston mayor Michelle Wu said groups at City Hall are also weighing how to proceed. She referenced a recent meeting on a day when she said information from the White House seemed to change by the hour.
“On the topic of federal funding... it was a different situation at 9:00 a.m., versus 1:00 p.m., versus 5:00 p.m. on that individual day,” Wu said. “There’s a lot that we’re sorting through. We’re going to ensure we are following the law, do what is right, and represent the whole community.”
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