Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences to Eliminate DEI Statements

According to a report by Harvard Crimson on Monday, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University will no longer require diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DIB) statements as part of its hiring process.

The decision to stop requiring DIB statements was made in response to feedback from faculty members who expressed concerns about the narrow focus of the current requirements and the confusion it caused for international candidates. Nina Zipser, Dean of Faculty Affairs and Planning, and FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra initiated the change to now require applicants to provide a statement on their efforts to strengthen academic communities and create a supportive learning environment for students to ask questions and share ideas. This new requirement will only apply to finalists, unlike the previous practice of requiring all applicants to submit a DIB statement.

Harvard has faced criticism for its diversity initiatives, with former University President Claudine Gay coming under fire for the university’s handling of antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests. Following accusations of plagiarism and mounting pressure, Gay resigned in January.

While the precise language around diversity statements has been removed from the FAS handbook, Zipser emphasized the importance of maintaining a diverse workforce while prioritizing academic goals.

The use of diversity statements in hiring and admissions has become controversial, with organizations like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) arguing that such statements can compel faculty to conform to specific ideological perspectives. A study from the American Enterprise Institute found that a significant percentage of university job postings include diversity statements or references to diversity.

Harvard’s decision to stop requiring DIB statements follows similar moves by other institutions like MIT and the UNC systems, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic settings.