An article from This week in 5 numbers: Education Department adds detail to DEI guidance

We’re rounding up recent stories, from one agency appearing to ease recent guidance to a Christian college calling off a merger.

Published March 7, 2025 Natalie Schwartz Senior Editor

• post
• share
• post
• print
• email
• license

The U.S. Department of Education headquarters is seen on Feb. 07, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images

From the U.S. Department of Education clarifying recent guidance to two Christian colleges calling off a planned merger, here are the top-line figures from some of our biggest stories of the week. 

By the numbers   14 The number of days that the Education Department gave colleges to come into compliance with guidance released Feb. 14 barring them from considering race in their programs and policies. However, the agency released a Q&A document Saturday that appeared to walk back some of the most contested aspects of the guidance.   5,057 The number of students enrolled at the University of Findlay in fall 2023. The Christian institution in Ohio called off plans this week to merge with nearby Bluffton University, citing the time and expenses that would be required to combine the two institutions.   $5 billion+ The value of federal grants at Columbia University that are under review by the Trump administration’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The group is probing the Ivy League’s grants and contracts over allegations that it hasn’t done enough to protect Jewish students from harassment.   $800 million+ The value of the grant portfolio at Johns Hopkins University affected by an “unexpected stoppage” of funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the institution announced this week. The research university is bracing for cuts amid funding uncertainty caused by the Trump administration.   100% The amount of state funding an Arizona bill threatens to pull from the state’s public colleges if they offer classroom instruction related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The bill has been gaining traction in the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature. waitToLoadAds.push(function() { googletag.cmd.push(function() { if (window.dfp_visibility == 'mobile' ) { googletag.display('dfp-hybrid1-mobile'); googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function (event) { var adUnitPath = '/21662595662/highereddive/highereddivehybrid1'; var onProformative = false; if (onProformative && event.slot.getAdUnitPath() === adUnitPath && !event.isEmpty ) { var adUnitPathWithVisibility = adUnitPath + '-mobile'; var selector = '.pf-comments__ad-wrapper [data-container-ad-unit-id="' + adUnitPathWithVisibility + '"]'; if (!$(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').hasClass('borders')) { $(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').addClass('borders') } } }); } }); }); waitToLoadAds.push(function() { googletag.cmd.push(function() { if (window.dfp_visibility == 'desktop' ) { googletag.display('dfp-hybrid2-desktop'); googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function (event) { var adUnitPath = '/21662595662/highereddive/highereddivehybrid2'; var onProformative = false; if (onProformative && event.slot.getAdUnitPath() === adUnitPath && !event.isEmpty ) { var adUnitPathWithVisibility = adUnitPath + '-desktop'; var selector = '.pf-comments__ad-wrapper [data-container-ad-unit-id="' + adUnitPathWithVisibility + '"]'; if (!$(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').hasClass('borders')) { $(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').addClass('borders') } } }); } }); });

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• purchase licensing rights

Higher Ed Dive news delivered to your inbox

Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts

Email:

• Select user consent: By signing up to receive our newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at anytime.

Sign up A valid email address is required. Please select at least one newsletter. Editors' picks

• aimintang via Getty Images Penn State will close some campuses amid enrollment decline, president says

  Neeli Bendapudi said the university will review a dozen of its commonwealth campuses to determine which will stay open and which will close.

  By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 26, 2025
• DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images A surge of DEI cuts hits colleges across the US

  Some colleges, like Ohio State University, are reversing their stances on diversity efforts as federal and state policymakers ratchet up the pressure.

  By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 27, 2025