Alabama Legislators Strike a Blow to Diversity and Inclusion Programs on College Campuses

Montgomery, Alabama – The Alabama Legislature recently passed SB129, a new law set to go into effect on October 1st that will eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices from college campuses and other public entities. This legislation is one of 11 anti-DEI bills passed across nine states since the beginning of 2023. It is a move that threatens the progress made towards fostering inclusivity and understanding within educational institutions. Governor Kay Ivey defended the law and criticized DEI initiatives as a platform for liberal politics, stating, “I refuse to allow a few bad actors … Read more

College Recruiters Outside of Alabama Offer a Welcoming Home for Black Athletes Amid DEI Ban

Birmingham, Alabama – Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama, took to Facebook earlier this year to express his concerns over Alabama’s proposed anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) bill. In his post, Mayor Woodfin stated that if the bill became law, he would consider organizing Black parents and athletes to seek educational opportunities outside of the state where diversity and inclusion are valued. On March 20, Alabama Governor Kate Ivey signed SB 129 into law, effectively banning colleges in the state from implementing DEI programs and instruction on “divisive concepts.” Although it remains to be seen … Read more

Barnard College Implements New Dorm Door Policy Amidst Israel-Hamas Conflict Controversy

New York, NY – In response to the tense climate at Barnard College following the Israel-Hamas war outbreak, the college has implemented a new policy prohibiting students from displaying messages on their dorm doors. This decision comes after some students at Barnard and Columbia University, which it is affiliated with, placed signs on their doors accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and questioning its legitimacy as a state. In light of this, Jewish students filed a lawsuit against both schools, alleging a failure to protect them from antisemitism and anti-Zionism. The lawsuit emphasizes that anti-Zionism … Read more

Federal Judge Blocks NCAA’s Restriction on Name, Image, and Likeness Compensation, Posing a Challenge to College Sports Governance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. and RICHMOND, Va. — The NCAA suffered a setback on Friday as a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, prohibiting the enforcement of its rules that prevent college athletes from receiving compensation for their name, image, and likeness. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker in the Eastern District of Tennessee challenges the long-standing principle of amateurism in college sports, which prohibits third parties from paying recruits to attend specific schools. Judge Corker stated that the NCAA’s prohibition likely violates federal antitrust law and harms the student-athletes. The plaintiffs argued that since … Read more