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Video Summary

In the workshop “Is That Legal? Navigating Program Compliance for Student and Alumni Communities” facilitated by Jessica Elmore, various compliance-related issues concerning race and program implementation were discussed, notably post the Supreme Court’s reversal of race-conscious college admissions in 2023. The session provided key insights with legal expertise from Erika Turret, who elaborated on the evolving legal landscape and challenges to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs across educational institutions. The central theme entailed understanding and adapting to the legal restrictions in program implementation, especially concerning race-based and diversity programming in both admissions and non-admissions contexts.<br /><br />Participants engaged in interactive sessions examining program compliance through a framework involving 'Three Ps' — Preference, Protected group, and Palpable benefit — to assess program risk levels and strategize on addressing potential legal challenges. The presentation also touched upon the shifts in federal policy with the Trump administration’s executive orders against DEI initiatives, exerting pressure on institutions to reconsider their diversity strategies.<br /><br />The event underscored the importance of adapting to legal changes while maintaining equity-focused missions, providing tools and templates to facilitate compliance audits, ensuring institutions remain law-abiding without eroding trust with constituents. In light of this contentious legal environment, the workshop emphasized proactive communication and documentation within institutions and offered practical strategies to audit and realign programs while safeguarding inclusivity goals. Participants left with a comprehensive toolkit to guide nuanced, informed decision-making processes in an uncertain legislative climate.

Keywords

program compliance

race-conscious admissions

Supreme Court

DEI programs

legal landscape

educational institutions

Three Ps framework

federal policy shifts

equity-focused missions

compliance audits

proactive communication

inclusivity goals