CLEVELAND — Case Western Reserve University announced it has closed its university-wide Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement.

What You Need To Know

  • CWRU President Eric Kaler made the announcement Wednesday, and it was effective immediately

  • Instead, the school has opened up the Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement to continue to instill its values

  • CWRU is among the latest schools in Ohio to rescind DEI programming 

Ohio's largest private university said the decision was made to prevent the risk of losing federal funding, as has been threatened by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders in January — one for ending DEI-based programs and another to end discrimination-based policies. If institutions fail to comply, they will lose federal funding. 

"To maintain alignment with our institutional values we will establish the Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement," CWRU President Eric Kaler wrote in a release. "This office will work to connect our community and offer programming that aligns with its new mission: Enriching our campus life through building community, active engagement, mindful learning and transformative civil dialogue."

Kaler said school-based programs will see some changes, and staff roles may be adjusted to align with this new approach. 

Despite the closure of the office, CWRU said it will continue to promote the free exchange of ideas, civic and international engagement and appreication for perspectives and talents.

CWRU has already posted a website for its new Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement. It includes community events, programs and more.

"We continue to diligently monitor legislation and directives and will communicate with you on how it may impact our academic work, our research and our community," Kaler wrote in a release.

CWRU is among the many colleges and K-12 schools making adjustments under the executive orders. Akron Public Schools revisited its DEI policies to comply, Ohio State discontinued its DEI programming and Ohio University canceled two events honoring Black alumni and women.

Amidst the changes is also Senate Bill 1, which is heading to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for a signature. The bill aims to overhaul higher education, which would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs and prohibit faculty from going on strike.