MIT Closes DEI Office Amid Federal Pressure

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has closed its central diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office, the Institute Community and Equity Office, following an internal review and increased national scrutiny of DEI programs. While some DEI initiatives will be integrated into other departments, MIT President Sally Kornbluth reiterated the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The decision comes as the Trump administration enforces executive orders prohibiting DEI policies at federally funded institutions and investigates MIT and Harvard over alleged discriminatory practices. The closure and policy changes have led to financial consequences for MIT, including research grant reductions and fewer graduate student placements. The move aligns with a national trend of universities scaling back or rebranding DEI efforts to comply with federal mandates. The Trump administration has stated that these actions promote a colorblind, merit-based evaluation of students.