Statement on the Elimination of Campus DEI Offices

The American College Health Association (ACHA) is concerned about decisions to close college and university offices and programs designed to support diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA) for students. These programs play critical roles in fostering a sense of belonging on campus, an important factor directly impacting a student’s health and well-being, and ultimately, academic success.

With 800 institutional members and 12,000 individual members who represent the diversity of the higher education health and well-being community, ACHA is the voice for student health and well-being and works to support and create environments where all students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

According to a recent American College Health Foundation study, The Influence of Environmental Factors, Including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, on the Emotional Well-Being of Students, Staff, and Faculty, “perceived institutional support of individual identities is the strongest predictor of emotional well-being among” college communities.

ACHA’s spring 2024 national survey of more than 79,000 undergraduate students found that of the students who participated in the survey:

• 21% of all students, 22% of BIPOC students, 33% of queer-spectrum students, and 41% of trans-spectrum students were experiencing serious psychological distress
• 77% of all students, 77% of BIPOC students, 85% of queer-spectrum students, and 86% of trans-spectrum students reported they had experienced moderate or high-stress levels within the last 30 days)
• 50% of all students, 52% of BIPOC students, 60% of queer-spectrum students, and 65% of trans-spectrum students met the criteria for experiencing loneliness
• Only 68% of all students, 63% of BIPOC students, 61% of queer-spectrum students, and 57% of trans-spectrum students agreed or strongly agreed that they felt they “belonged” at their college/university

At a time when large numbers of our nation’s students are struggling with their mental health and well-being, especially among underrepresented and minority groups, we should be investing more to promote student success through efforts to foster belonging, promote community, and provide emotional security, not less.

ACHA encourages government officials, colleges, and universities to strengthen institutional efforts to foster belonging through diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility and, in so doing, improve student mental health and well-being and academic success.

See also:

• ACHA Non-Discrimination Policy
• ACHA Anti-Bias/Anti-Violence Statement