Clemson dissolves BIPOC, LGBTQ+ groups amid civil rights investigation
Clemson University has eliminated groups created to support the school’s Black, LGBTQ+ and veteran communities, among others, the Upstate university announced last week.
The groups include the Accessibility Commission, the Asian Pacific Islander DESI American Commission, the Commission on the Black Experience, the Commission on Latino Affairs, the LGBTQ Commission, the Veterans Commission and the Commission on Women, Inside Higher Ed reported.
“The commissions have successfully fulfilled their important charge, making a lasting impression on the value, strength and growth of the Clemson community and our campus,” the university said in a news release. “Their efforts demonstrate what dedicated individuals can accomplish together.”
The commissions provided “meaningful opportunities for dialogue and community building” to support a “stronger, more connected University,” Clemson officials said.
The announcement came shortly after the Heritage Foundation criticized the university for maintaining and disguising its office of diversity, equity and inclusion through its Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access. The foundation is the conservative think tank that is the architect of Project 2025, a wish list of policies and government reforms identified by some during the 2024 presidential election as a blueprint for what a second Trump administration might look like.
The think tank further noted that the groups, now dissolved, continue “identity politics–related activities,” though not officially labeled as DEI.
Clemson spokesman Joe Galbraith said the university’s announcement was “in no way” related to the report.
Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, known as “DEI,” have become a flashpoint in local and national politics. State legislators have made efforts to rid public colleges and universities of DEI, though bills have failed to pass for the last several years.
Clemson employees still have access to a “variety of resources that promote well-being and a supportive workplace culture,” the university said in a news release, including the Ombuds Office, the Employee Assistance Program and the faculty and staff senates.
Clemson, and 44 other public and private universities, are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for allegedly engaging in “race-exclusionary practices” within their graduate programs in March, The State previously reported. It could result in the loss of federal funds.
The accused institutions allegedly violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin, by partnering with The Ph.D. Project — an award-winning nonprofit organization that aims to increases the talent pool in the business world by supporting underrepresented students in business Ph.D. programs.
The investigation follows a Feb. 14 letter — dubbed the “Dear Colleague” letter — sent to all educational institutions receiving federal funding that required them to end all race-based programming, scholarships and activities.
“The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a March news release. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.”
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM.
