A coalition of education and civil rights organizations, led by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), has filed a lawsuit challenging recent
The lawsuit, filed jointly with the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, and Baltimore's Mayor and City Council, contends that the Executive Orders exceed presidential authority and contain problematically vague directives. The orders could potentially impact more than 130 U.S. colleges and universities with endowments over $1 billion, creating widespread uncertainty in the higher education sector.
"In the United States, there is no king," the legal filing states, arguing that presidential powers are constitutionally limited and cannot infringe on rights guaranteed to American citizens. The lawsuit specifically challenges the orders' lack of clear definitions for terms such as "DEI," "equity," and "illegal DEIA," arguing that this vagueness makes compliance virtually impossible for institutions while potentially exposing them to significant federal enforcement actions.
AAUP President Todd Wolfson warned about the broader implications of the orders.
“The elimination of DEI programs and initiatives at public academic institutions are a threat to the democratic purposes of higher education as a public good,” he said. Wolfson emphasized that these programs play a crucial role in ensuring equal access to education and fostering diverse perspectives in academic discourse.
The challenge comes at a critical time for academic institutions, particularly medical schools, where AAUP represents numerous faculty members conducting federally-funded research on how race and ethnicity influence health outcomes. These researchers fear that the Executive Orders could jeopardize crucial studies that address healthcare disparities and improve medical treatment for diverse populations.
