Columbia University has secured its position in the prestigious Diplomacy Lab program run by the US State Department, even as federal authorities intensify scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at American universities. This development comes amid a broader review of DEI initiatives across higher education institutions.
Federal Evaluation and University Rankings
According to an internal memorandum obtained by The Guardian and reported by the Columbia Spectator, federal officials assessed 75 universities using a color-coded four-point scale. Institutions with explicit DEI hiring policies received red markings and recommendations for suspension from the Diplomacy Lab program. Conversely, universities demonstrating merit-based hiring approaches without DEI evidence were marked green and approved for continued participation.
Notably, Columbia University found itself in the favorable green category alongside the University of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Meanwhile, Harvard University and Yale University faced potential removal from the program due to their DEI-focused hiring practices. The evaluation specifically examined whether universities considered DEI factors in employment decisions, aligning with the Trump administration's emphasis on merit-based criteria.
Columbia's Compliance with Federal Guidelines
Columbia University has taken significant steps to align with federal requirements. In July 2025, the institution reached a substantial $221 million settlement with the federal government, committing to exclude race, color, sex, or national origin from hiring considerations. The university also agreed to provide admissions data to federal authorities, with the initial report scheduled for October.
Following executive orders in January 2025 that banned DEI initiatives at federally funded universities, Columbia undertook comprehensive website revisions. Multiple pages underwent language adjustments to remove or modify DEI-related content. These measures represent the university's balanced approach to maintaining federal compliance while continuing to support equitable access and academic excellence.
Supreme Court Impact and Future Implications
The Supreme Court's landmark June 2023 decision eliminating race-based affirmative action has triggered nationwide policy changes. Universities across America, including Columbia, have modified their hiring and admissions protocols accordingly. The Columbia Spectator documented noticeable declines in Black and Hispanic enrollment for the class of 2028 at both Columbia and Barnard, highlighting the immediate consequences of these policy shifts.
In response to these challenges, former University President Minouche Shafik established a specialized working group to examine Columbia's admissions policies. This team focused on identifying strategies to preserve diversity and inclusion while adhering to merit-based federal guidelines.
The State Department memorandum clarified that future Diplomacy Lab eligibility will concentrate exclusively on merit-based hiring practices. Universities maintaining DEI-focused employment policies risk exclusion from the program. While termination letters for affected institutions await final approval, the department has not provided a specific timeline for these notifications.
Columbia's presence on the approved green list confirms that its current policies satisfy the updated federal criteria. The university has not issued immediate comments regarding this development. Other universities flagged in the memorandum await formal notification before implementing any required changes to their programs and policies.
