By Eva Agcaoili / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College reassessed its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) program to fit both the new college and federal administrations’ values.

In March, MVC’s DEIB proposed a name change to BEACON (Belonging, Empowerment, Access, Connection, Opportunity, and Networking) and will apply to become a part of the Student Government Association as a student-led organization. The change came shortly after President Donald Trump released the executive order that declared DEI programs in colleges in violation of the Civil Rights Act.

Thereafter, the Office of Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague letter that declared a sweeping interpretation of the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard Supreme Court case.

An attorney practicing in school law, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that the EO and Dear Colleague letter were meant to focus on cases of institutions’ hiring and admissions processes. 

“On the first tier, you have a highly competitive process that is competing for a resource,” they said. “The second tier is doing the same process as the first, but calling it something less obvious”. 

They explained that having a club or an organization that is focused on creating an inclusive environment would register around a third tier that has trouble connecting to the existing case law.

“Having a DEI program that does not compete for a highly competitive resource like an ivy league admission is not necessarily illegal, but falls more into the case of politics,” they said. 

Dr. Cynthia Bice, Vice President of Academic Affairs said  the review of DEIB started last semester, and the shift in name was intended to encompass the mission of the organization more fully.

“When I first came to the institution, I was reviewing all things VPAA and [DEIB] came to my attention”, said Bice. “I asked them to evaluate … was that title really inviting to all students”

Bice wanted to ensure the group provided access to all students, including students who feel marginalized for their disabilities or isolated due to their mental health issues. 

“How can they get students more involved in this group that wants to foster a culture of inclusivity, culture and connection,” Bice said. 

Jennifer Livengood, BEACON faculty sponsor, cited the restructuring of the University of Missouri as a warning sign for the future of DEI.

“After MU restructured their program, it was a signal of what was to come, and what that meant for smaller schools in Missouri,” Livengood said. 

“The change came for a multitude of reasons,” she said. “The changing political landscape, social conservatism, the misunderstanding, and the misleading of what DEI is.”

“We’re hoping by moving forward to a student-led group, we gain more student recognition and interest,” Livengood said.

While the original DEI program did not have institutional funding, joining SGA would make BEACON eligible for SGA funding. 

The mission of the previous DEIB was “To create and foster a culture of belonging, inclusivity, openness, and connection.” BEACON’s new official mission is in the works.

“I would want people to know that our ideas and our ideology has not changed,” she said. “We still want to be a group that people recognize as helpful and meaningful and fosters connection because we know that’s what is good for students.”