Will Anti-DEI Changes Affect CSN

By Fatimah Williamson

Anti-DEI policies coming down from Trump administration and Department of Education will affect College of Southern Nevada. How much is yet to be seen.

According to CSN’s student demographics, minorities make up CSN’s student population: 22% White, 46% Hispanic, 11% African American and 8% Asian. CSN is a Minority Serving Institution and Hispanic Supporting Institution. Some think its reputation hinges on its diversity.

CSN social sciences Professor and Co-Chair of the Women’s Alliance Sondra Cosgrove said, “We have been notified that the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be called the Office of Diversity.”

Cosgrove said further changes are not currently expected by administration, and that if any programs were challenged by the government, faculty would work with the NSHE Board of Regents and Chancellor to address problems.

Joe Hassert, communications professor and committee chair of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, believes that the anti-DEI rhetoric from Trump’s administration purposely sparks fear in communities.

“It puts pressure on all of us to be careful in a way that I think is insidious and potentially toxic,” Hassert said. “It puts a target on every educator in the United States as being potentially out-of-line with the ideas and beliefs that the president is advocating and potentially puts our institutions at risk.”

“Administration has sought feedback from the community about how best to comply without compromising our values and without compromising the integrity of our educational institute,” Hassert said.

“We want to be aligned with the law while still fulfilling our mission and being who we are,” Hassert said. “That’s the goal as far as I can tell, and I would say the CSN administration has so far been doing that.”

“The politics here at school is that they want to keep those DEI policies in place, because, again, we have a large diverse background,” said Shilaia Williams, student worker at Counseling and Psychological Services and president of Active Minds.

Students at CSN participate in programs that celebrate diversity, some relying on scholarships and grants helping minorities access higher education. Groups like the Latin Alliance, Black Student Union and Women’s Alliance help students engage with their communities.