Commentary: Big Tent Ideas

CASEY RYAN: It’s Time For DEI-Pushing Accreditors To Change Their Ways

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As the Trump administration and state legislatures work to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from America’s education system, universities continue to promote and support the controversial ideology because they rely on accreditors to remain afloat. In recent years, accreditors have encouraged or outright demanded universities adopt DEI goals and standards. 

College accreditors determine which universities can grant recognized degrees or even receive federal funding. The Department of Education (ED) explains that accreditation serves the purpose of “verifying that an institution or program meets established standards” and “helping to identify institutions and programs for the investment of public and private funds.” 

The department explicitly states that universities must have “nationally recognized” accreditation for students to receive federal student aid. This creates a system in which accreditors set standards that often include DEI initiatives that universities must adopt to be recognized by ED. 

There are different types of accreditors. For example, regional accreditors divide the country into states and provide accreditation for the colleges in their specific territories. Two regional accreditors include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

Despite covering predominantly conservative states such as Texas and Florida, the SACSCOC has widely adopted DEI ideology and encouraged universities in its territory to do the same. The accreditor provides colleges with strategies to implement DEI such as “dedicating staff to advocate for and lead diversity initiatives (e.g. Chief Diversity Officer, Office of Diversity or Multicultural Affairs).” 

The NECHE covers the northeast from Connecticut to Maine and demands that universities adopt DEI initiatives as part of the accreditor’s “standards for accreditation.” Any university that expects accreditation must address “its own goals for the achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion among its personnel and assesses the effectiveness of its efforts to achieve those goals.” 

While demanding that universities adopt DEI to receive accreditation is terrible, the problem becomes significantly worse when medical programs at universities are specifically mandated to adopt DEI standards.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is an accreditor for medical schools that claims to be recognized by ED “as the notable authority for the accreditation of medical education programs leading to the MD degree.” 

The accreditor mandates that medical schools engage “in ongoing, systematic, and focused recruitment and retention activities, to achieve mission-appropriate diversity outcomes among its students.” This is included in the standards of accreditation that will be effective on July 1. 

Unfortunately, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is not any better. The nursing school accreditor defiantly promotes “upholding the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice.” The accreditor notably quotes far-left activist Ibram X. Kendi in stating that we must “believe in the possibility that we can transform our societies to be antiracist from this day forward.” 

The fact that medical and nursing accreditors prioritize DEI dogma over talent and skill is scary, but should come as a surprise to no one at this point. 

If our leaders want to eradicate DEI from higher education, they must start with ED. University accreditors are now controlled by radical ideologues. ED must stop using them to determine what universities receive federal funding and recognition. 

Our universities must also step up and refuse to pay these accreditors. These groups receive funding through dues paid by universities that use their services. Accreditors are essentially being paid with taxpayer dollars to promote DEI. 

A 2017 report from the Center for American Progress reveals that membership dues can vary widely depending on the college and number of students, with some dues extending well beyond $100,000. The LCME alone charges medical schools $25,000 just to submit an application to seek accreditation. 

The status quo is hazardous to Americans’ health. 

America’s leaders – and more specifically ED– must work in tandem with universities to strip accreditors of their standing and power if they continue to prioritize DEI over merit. 

Casey Ryan is a writer and investigative reporter at Parents Defending Education.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.