West

University of California drops diversity statements in hiring amid threats of Trump cutting funding

Published

12 months ago

March 25, 2025

University of California drops diversity statements in hiring amid threats of Trump cutting funding

The University of California (UC) has become the latest high-profile school to drop diversity statements from its hiring practices.

On Wednesday, the university’s provost Katherine S. Newman sent out a letter to the system’s leaders informing them that diversity statements are no longer required for new applicants.

Newman wrote that while some programs and departments have required them, the university has never had a policy of diversity statements and believes it could harm applicant evaluation.

The University of California will no longer permit its programs or departments to use diversity statements in hiring. (iStock)

NEARLY HALF OF ALL US COLLEGE STUDENTS REJECT MANDATORY DEI COURSES ON CAMPUS: STUDY

“The requirement to submit a diversity statement may lead applicants to focus on an aspect of their candidacy that is outside their expertise or prior experience,” the letter obtained by Fox News Digital read.

She added that employees and applicants can still reference accomplishments related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on their own, but requiring stand-alone diversity statements is no longer permitted.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly said that the university will still continue to honor its commitment to “embrace and celebrate Californians from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view.”

UC follows the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Michigan in eliminating diversity statements as elite colleges start scaling back on DEI initiatives.

The Department of Education under Trump has warned schools across the country that federal funding could be cut if they do not remove DEI policies. (Getty Images)

The news came one month after a letter from the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights was sent out to departments of education across all 50 states warning them to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies or risk legal consequences, including a loss of federal funding.

The Trump administration already pulled $400 million in grants to Columbia University earlier this month, citing the school’s failure to address rising antisemitism on campus.

ELITE UNIVERSITY ELIMINATES DEI HIRING REQUIREMENT: ‘THEY DON’T WORK’

Though the school was unclear whether these were factors in the decision to remove diversity statements, UC President Michael Drake also announced a system-wide hiring freeze and several cost-saving measures ahead of a significant state budget cut and any potential federal challenges in the future.

UC President Michael Drake announced preparations for potentially losing federal funding under the Trump administration. (iStock)

Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.

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Nevada

Smith’s employees pack 5,000 meal kits for Clark County students

Published

10 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Smith’s employees pack 5,000 meal kits for Clark County students

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Smith’s employees are packing 5,000 meal kits for Clark County students through a partnership with Move for Hunger and Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada.

The event took place on March 10 at Decker Elementary School.

About 270 leaders from across seven states are also participating in building the kits. The donation is valued at approximately $50,000.

Feed The Need: Helping Southern Nevadans fight food insecurity

In the past year, Smith’s and its customers provided more than 16 million meals to nonprofit hunger-relief organizations throughout Nevada through donations.

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New Mexico

Federal court orders New Mexico prison officials to allow magazine’s delivery

Published

28 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

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Federal court orders New Mexico prison officials to allow magazine’s delivery

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Oregon

Maryland rides big first half to 70-60 win over Oregon to open Big Ten Tournament

Published

58 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Maryland rides big first half to 70-60 win over Oregon to open Big Ten Tournament

The Associated Press

March 10, 2026 / 10:42 PM EDT
/ AP

David Coit scored 17 points, Elijah Saunders added 15, and Maryland defeated Oregon 70-60 in a first-round game of the Big Ten Tournament on Tuesday.

Maryland held Oregon to 3-for-22 shooting (14%) with 0 for 10 from 3-point distance in the first half and the Terrapins led 33-12 at the break. Maryland scored the first nine points and the Ducks made their first field goal at the 8:46 mark, making the score 17-8. Maryland later ran off 10 consecutive points for a 31-10 lead. Coit scored 12 points in the first half.

An 11-2 run helped the Ducks cut their deficit to 12 points early in the second half, but Maryland allowed only three points over the next 5 1/2 minutes and the lead was 58-34 near the 8-minute mark. A dunk and a three-point play from Nate Bittle started a 15-2 run for Oregon and it was 60-49 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.

The Ducks got within single digits a few times, the last at 67-58 with 53 seconds remaining but Maryland’s Darius Adams made 3 of 4 free throws to preserve a double-digit margin.

Bittle scored 16 points, Kwame Evans Jr. 14 and Takai Simpkins 10 for 16th-seeded Oregon (12-20).

Maryland, seeded 17th, got 12 points, six rebounds and five assists from Andre Mills. Solomon Washington also scored 12 points and Adams finished with 10 points for the Terrapins (12-20).

Maryland defeated Oregon for the first time. The Ducks had won the only two prior matchups — both since joining the Big Ten last season. Most recently, Oregon won 64-54 at Maryland in January.