In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has announced the immediate discontinuation of twelve student organizations focused on women and minorities. This decision, revealed in a memo from Deputy Commandant Chad R. Foster on Tuesday, follows direct orders from the Trump administration, aimed at reshaping diversity efforts across federal institutions.
The clubs affected include the Corbin Forum, an initiative founded in 1976 that has been instrumental in fostering female leadership since women were first admitted to the academy. Also included in the closures are the Latin Cultural Club, the National Society of Black Engineers Club, the Vietnamese-American Cadet Association, Spectrum (supporting L.G.B.T.Q. cadets), and the Society of Women Engineers Club. According to the memo, these organizations must cease all operations and remove any public-facing content immediately—a directive that has already led to the disappearance of websites and social media pages, exemplified by the National Society of Black Engineers Club's homepage now displaying a prominent "Oops!" error message.
These closures have stirred significant discontent among alumni and current cadets. Drew Fitzsimmons, a West Point graduate who founded Spectrum, expressed his dismay, emphasizing the crucial role such groups play in building community and leadership skills among cadets. "These affinity groups offer a crucial safe space for people from similar backgrounds to support each other and develop as leaders," said Fitzsimmons, currently the executive director of Knights Out, which supports L.G.B.T.Q. military personnel.
The directive also specifies the cancellation of all related activities, including trips, meetings, and events, effectively ending the use of any government resources for these clubs. This move aligns with a broader federal rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, initiated by President Trump on his first day in office. Trump's executive order called for the cessation of these initiatives, declaring a shift toward a "colorblind and merit-based" society. This has resulted in a widespread reassessment of DEI roles and responsibilities across federal agencies, with many personnel being sidelined.
Additionally, this policy change at West Point comes amidst ongoing debates and legal challenges regarding affirmative action and race-based admissions in educational institutions, spurred by a recent Supreme Court decision. While the ruling does not directly affect military academies, it has certainly influenced the national discourse on these issues, with West Point now at the forefront of this contentious debate.
As the academy and its community grapple with these changes, the impact of such a significant shift in policy continues to resonate throughout West Point. The closures mark a critical pivot in how diversity and inclusion are addressed in one of the nation's most storied military institutions, setting a precedent that might influence other federal entities and educational institutions across the country. As these developments unfold, they are watched closely, both for their immediate impact on the West Point community and for their broader implications for diversity and inclusion within American public life.