DePauw hears from Indiana AG about DEI practices

DePauw University is the latest university in the Hoosier State to fall in the crosshairs of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita over its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices. 

Rokita, who has also gone after Notre Dame, told leaders from DePauw University and Butler University that legal action may be taken and their non-profit tax exempt status could be in jeopardy if he finds their DEI policies violate state and federal law. 

In a letter sent to DePauw University President Lori White, Rokita pointed out the university's DEI policies could constitute racial discrimination and violate civil rights laws. This is not the first time DePauw has found itself in a DEI debate, as White was one of 27 college presidents to sign a letter reaffirming their intention to continuing to prioritize inclusive policies on their campus after the U.S. Supreme Court decided race conscious admissions were illegal. 

Rokita wrote DePauw may have met that moment and the court's decision with "evasion, circumvention and obstruction rather than a good faith desire to respect the civil rights of students and faculty." 

"Hoosiers are rightfully concerned that some educational institutions treat students, faculty, staff and others differently based on race under the guise of DEI or other," Rokita said in a statement. 

While DePauw has until June 27 to reply to Rokita's letter, university leaders have already responded with a statement. 

The statement reads,"DePauw University, rooted in our Methodist tradition, has been dedicated to shaping the leaders the world needs since our founding in 1837. Guided by our institutional values of integrity and our commitment to excellence, we uphold high ethical standards and do not engage in unlawful discrimination in our admissions and hiring practices. We recruit and retain talented students, faculty and staff who enrich our small and caring campus community, and, in turn, are enriched by it, carrying forward DePauw's tradition of supporting and creative positive changes in Indiana and throughout the world." 

Political analyst and attorney Abdul-Hakim Shabazz told The Putnam County Post there is nothing to Rokita's letters and threats other than political grandstanding. 

"This is grandstanding at its worst to distract from the fact that Mr. Rokita faces a real possibility of not being able to practice law next year," Shabazz said.