Since taking office, Pres. Donald Trump has eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies. His administration is now attempting to eliminate DEI from any institution that receives federal grants, even if the institution is privately run.

Last month, Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield, Conn., had a $3.38 million grant revoked by the U.S. Department of Education as part of their opposition to DEI efforts. The grant would have funded up to 80 teaching positions over the next five years.

The department’s deputy assistant secretary, Mark Washington, said in a letter, “Illegal DEI policies and practices can violate both the letter and purpose of Federal civil rights law and conflict with the Department’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness and excellence in education.”

University of New Haven also receives federal grants and has a diversity and inclusion program.

As a result of the confusion and concern – Michael J. Rossi, associate dean for faculty and curriculum, sent an email Monday to try to clarify some concerns – The Myatt Center recently and quietly removed mention of DEI in their program. This change caused concern among some students, who believed the university may be on its way to removing resources for different student populations.

Charger Bulletin News’ (CBN) Haiden Leach interviewed the Myatt Center’s associate director, Kenneth Notarino-Jeffrey, who explained that the change was an attempt to get a different username on the center’s Instagram account.

“Right now, no decision has been formally made, nothing has been told to us-there hasn’t been a specific direction that says we are removing these initiatives so on and so forth,” said Notarino-Jeffrey, who said the change was not the result of pressure form the university’s administration or the federal government.

CBN’s Patch Bowen found there was no decision from the university’s administration made before Feb. 28 related to this issue as Dean of Students Ophelie Rowe-Allen said she was unaware of any changes to the Myatt Center’s Instagram page.

Notarino-Jeffrey said that without an official decision, The Myatt Center will continue to act independently.

“Until we get a definitive decision on what we need to do, we are still operating on full autonomy, just to be able to support these initiatives,” he said.

When asked about the future of the center, Notarino-Jeffrey said he does not know what will happen. He mentioned the case of SHU and said, “On the flip side, we also don’t know what the Supreme Court is going to do.”

A federal district court has temporarily blocked Trump’s anti-DEI executive order, and there is talk the case could go to the Supreme Court.

Notarino-Jeffrey said the Myatt Center needs to keep up with any changes.

“For us as leaders,” he said, “we are trying to make sure that we’re on top of this, we’re afloat because if we’re sinking we’re sinking, that means the students are also sinking,” he said.

For any students concerned about changes in the school’s DEI initiatives, reach out to the center at CDI@newhaven.edu