University of California Abandons Mandatory Diversity Statements for Hiring
In a major shift away from radical DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, the University of California (UC) system has announced it will no longer require diversity statements from new faculty hires.
This landmark decision follows growing concerns that such statements act as political litmus tests, forcing applicants to conform to ideological viewpoints rather than focusing on their academic credentials and expertise.
A Victory for Merit Over Ideology
UC Provost Katherine S. Newman issued a letter to university officials confirming that the Board of Regents had directed President Michael V. Drake to remove mandatory diversity statements from hiring processes across the 10-campus system.
“To be clear, stand-alone diversity statements will no longer be permitted in recruitments.” – UC Provost Katherine S. Newman
The decision was made because requiring these statements could:
✔️ Shift focus away from an applicant’s actual expertise
✔️ Encourage ideological conformity over open academic discourse
✔️ Violate principles of merit-based hiring
This policy change marks a dramatic reversal for the UC system, which had pioneered the widespread use of mandatory DEI statements, inspiring colleges nationwide to adopt similar hiring practices.
Why This Is a Big Deal
🔹 The UC system was the first major university to require diversity statements as a screening tool before evaluating an applicant’s full academic dossier.
🔹 These statements became de facto political tests, often forcing faculty to express allegiance to leftist DEI policies or risk being disqualified.
🔹 The Manhattan Institute’s John Sailer pointed out that UC’s original diversity rubric became the template for universities nationwide—this decision could trigger similar rollbacks elsewhere.
🚨 “This is truly earth-shattering,” Sailer wrote. “The UC system is where this (now hugely controversial) policy got started.” 🚨
Trump’s Executive Order Accelerates the Change
This policy shift coincides with President Trump’s executive order ending all federal DEI programs that waste taxpayer dollars and promote radical hiring preferences.
📜 Trump signed the order on January 20, 2025, just hours after being sworn in for his second term.
The UC Board of Regents’ move is a clear response to the shifting political and legal climate, as institutions realize DEI mandates are legally vulnerable and unpopular with students, faculty, and the public.
A Ripple Effect Across Higher Education?
📢 Colleges across the country have followed UC’s DEI hiring rubric verbatim—this decision could inspire other universities to ditch their own mandatory diversity statements.
🔥 Will we see Ivy League schools and public universities follow suit?
🔥 Could DEI be finally losing its grip on higher education?
This move could signal the beginning of the end for DEI mandates—and a return to merit-based hiring in academia.
Final Thoughts
The University of California’s decision to eliminate forced diversity statements is a major win for academic freedom and a devastating blow to radical DEI ideology.
✔️ Merit over ideology
✔️ Excellence over activism
✔️ Fair hiring practices restored
💬 What do you think? Should more universities follow UC’s lead and abolish forced DEI statements? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🚨