Higher Education Is Too Eager To Comply With Trump's Demands

 University faculty and professional organizations are seeing a “chilling effect” in the promotion of diversity and inclusion programs and warn of long-term consequences.

By Maggie Yan, Prism

As one of few queer instructors at Ball State University, Leo Caldwell often leaves his office door open to students. He hoped his small corner of Muncie, Indiana, could be a safe space, especially for trans students. Not anymore.

In October 2024, Caldwell, an assistant lecturer of media design, was asked to organize events for Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) for the following year.

“I was told there was a good-sized budget from a donor specifically earmarked for LGBTQ+ events. I was given an initial budget of $20,000 and told if I exceeded that amount there was potential for more,” he wrote in a personal blog post. Caldwell told Prism that his opinions don’t represent those of Ball State.

After receiving verbal confirmation of a proposed budget in December, Caldwell was informed on Jan. 23 that “all events associated with my trans day of visibility series were canceled,” without explanation, he wrote. Almost a week later, on Jan. 29, the Office of Inclusive Excellence (OIE) called Caldwell and informed him that only a keynote speaker event was canceled.

A Ball State spokesperson told Prism that this event was the only one the university chose not to pursue. “It was determined the speaking fee being sought by the individual was too high. All other planned events for Trans Day of Visibility are carrying on as planned by organizers,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to Prism.

But by February, Caldwell decided to significantly downsize the events he originally planned.

“I do not feel safe or supported to continue with the other events due to the administration’s inability to confirm agreements in writing,” he wrote in his blog post.

Though the situation was not a direct attack on the queer community, Caldwell told Prism that he feared institutions were taking anticipatory action toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs contingent on legislation not yet passed. He pointed to the university’s cancellation of a faculty development session, titled “LGBTQ+ 101,” according to an internal email from the OIE.

When asked for comment about the session’s cancellation, the spokesperson referred to previous responses from the university reported earlier this year: “Leadership of the Office of Inclusive Excellence at Ball State felt it was prudent to pause this session until there is further clarity.”