In the coming weeks, there will be a referendum sent to the student body asking to remove all mentions of diversity from the Student Government Association’s constitution. It must pass. 

Article 3, Section I, Subsection 6 of the EIU student body constitution states that, “The vice president for student affairs shall be responsible for Diversity in Action Council and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Week.” 

This line will soon be coming to a vote of the student body to be struck from the student body constitution. This comes as a shock to many as DEI Week has been one of the most successful programs for student government over the past few years. 

As representatives of the EIU Student Government Association we encourage all members of the EIU student body to take time to read President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14173 from Jan. 21 as well as the Feb. 14 “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, which calls for the elimination of DEI in higher education. 

We are absolutely appalled by the use of financial retaliation at the federal level. 

The fact that those in power wish to control universities and threaten funding to higher education is disheartening to say the least. This has been incredibly frustrating to navigate, as not only has guidance been unclear, but having to place moral responsibility on the back burner is not how we thought we’d begin this semester. 

We understand that this change is frustrating and disheartening, but the choice is out of our hands. If we do not pass this amendment, then EIU risks losing federal funding, which makes up a not insignificant portion of the yearly budget for EIU. 

If we were to lose this funding it would be detrimental to EIU students and how the university currently functions. However, as President Jay Gatrell said in a letter from the beginning of August, “Rest assured, this guidance does not, and will not, diminish our devotion to our critical mission or EIU’s steadfast commitment to free speech, the freedom of association and—of course—academic freedom.” 

All students deserve the right to know what is being discussed behind closed doors as these changes not only affect SGA but the student body at large. The implications of these conversations are the difference between continuing to attend EIU and having a safe campus to call home. 

While it is understood that diversity, equity and inclusion strengthen our university and the campus community, we must listen to the federal government on this issue as the risks of noncompliance are severe. 

This isn’t the only change coming to student government as there are many other changes currently happening to the student senate bylaws to ensure that we are abiding by new federal regulations. 

It bears repeating that we in student government are not happy with this change. But nonetheless, we must put the safeguarding of EIU’s federal funding and the safety of all students at EIU above personal issues. 

Utilizing economic injustice as a tactic to advance an agenda is an abhorrent idea, but it is the one currently being used against higher education. 

Once this referendum hits students’ inboxes, this vote may be a distressing one, but incredibly necessary. 

Like you, we are distraught over the fact that we must suspend initiatives that help us to better represent the student body, as that is the main goal of student government. 

But right now, however outraged we are, we must look at the ramifications of our actions for the university. 

Signed by, 

John Slater                     Student Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Megan Fox                      Student Speaker of the Senate 

Claire Weber                  Student Vice President of Student Affairs

Reagan Robson             Student Body President 

Anna Jones                    Student Executive Vice President