MIT has made the decision to no longer require prospective hires to pledge allegiance to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion as an employment condition, marking the university as the first elite university in the country to do away with the controversial practice that has been denounced by free speech advocates as a political litmus test. The decision was made by MIT President Sally Kornbluth, along with the support of the Provost, Chancellor, and all six academic deans. Kornbluth stated that the goal is to tap into the full scope of human talent, bring the very best to MIT, and ensure that they thrive once there, emphasizing that compelled statements impinge on freedom of expression and do not work in building an inclusive environment.
Diversity statements have become common practice in higher education in recent years, requiring faculty or research applicants to write 2-3 page statements about their commitment to advancing excellence in diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. Prominent universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia have incorporated diversity statement requirements into their application processes as a way to showcase commitment to DEI work. The practice has been criticized by academic freedom and free speech advocates for pressuring academics seeking employment or promotion to align with the perceived ideological preferences of institutions, potentially threatening employment or advancement opportunities for those who may dissent from prevailing thoughts on DEI.
Even candidates applying for highly specialized fields at MIT were required to provide a statement regarding their views on diversity, inclusion, and belonging in addition to traditional application materials. In a 2023 job posting for MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, candidates were instructed to provide a statement detailing their past and current contributions to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as well as their vision and plans for the future in these areas. Despite being a prestigious institute that attracts some of the world’s top scientific minds, MIT has decided to eliminate the diversity statement requirement from its faculty application process in order to foster an inclusive environment without impinging on freedom of expression.
Critics of diversity statement requirements argue that they function as ideological litmus tests, pressuring academics to conform to the prevailing thoughts on DEI in order to secure positions or advancements within institutions. The Academic Freedom Alliance and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression have both spoken out against these requirements, warning that they threaten the academic freedom and freedom of speech of faculty members by compelling them to say things that may not align with their true beliefs or commitments. With MIT’s decision to no longer require diversity statements for faculty positions, the university has taken a stance against the controversial practice in higher education and opened up opportunities for a more diverse range of talents to thrive in its academic community.
Moving forward, MIT aims to focus on tapping into the full scope of human talent, bringing the very best to the institution, and ensuring that they thrive once there. President Kornbluth has emphasized the importance of building an inclusive environment at MIT in multiple ways that do not impinge on freedom of expression. By eliminating compelled diversity statements from the faculty application process, MIT is leading the way in promoting a culture of openness and diversity within academia. The decision to end the diversity statement requirement has been met with support from those who value academic freedom and free speech, signaling a shift away from the controversial practice in higher education and towards a more inclusive and open academic environment.
