DENVER, Colo. — The University of Denver (DU) is making significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in response to new federal directives issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration.

In an interview with 9NEWS, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner confirmed that DU will no longer offer scholarships or programs previously designated for students of specific racial backgrounds. In addition, DEI training for university staff is being discontinued as part of the shift.

Haefner explained that the university is acting to stay in compliance with updated federal guidance, which classifies race-based scholarships and programs as potentially unlawful. “We had gifts and scholarships that were directed towards protected classes that the Department of Justice memo has really now clearly articulated as unlawful,” Haefner told 9NEWS reporter Evan Kruegel.

The DOJ’s recent crackdown on race-based initiatives has already impacted several colleges and universities nationwide, with some institutions facing the loss of federal funding. While DU has not yet experienced funding freezes, Haefner expressed concern that failure to act could jeopardize access to crucial federal support, including research grants and student scholarships.

This move places DU among a growing number of higher education institutions reevaluating or eliminating DEI programs under increasing federal scrutiny. The changes have drawn sharp reactions from both supporters and critics of race-conscious education policies, reigniting national debate over the role of affirmative action and equity-based initiatives in academia.

The University of Denver’s decision comes amid a broader political and legal reassessment of race-based policies in education, with implications likely to reverberate across campuses nationwide in the months ahead.

Original reporting by Evan Kruegel of 9NEWS (KUSA).