Stanford requires student DEI statement, raising ‘compelled speech’ concerns

Students at Stanford University must submit a diversity and inclusion (DEI) statement to enroll in the Global Entrepreneurial Marketing course. This statement requires students to describe how they will contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion in the class. An answer is mandatory for enrollment.

The requirement was first shared on social media by Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution . Rauch expressed concerns that the DEI statement could unfairly exclude students with differing political views.

“While Stanford as a whole should expect students to conduct themselves in a civil, respectful manner, conditioning participation in academic programs or activities on social or political commitments treads dangerously close to compelled speech, if it does not actually cross that line," Rauch told the Center Square .

"Moreover, the term ‘diversity and inclusion,’ in today’s academic context, has acquired controversial political overtones which students may justifiably hesitate to endorse," Rauch said. "A student could reasonably conclude that the teachers of this course intend to screen out students who disagree with them politically.”

The Global Entrepreneurial Marketing course is offered by the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford, and focuses on marketing technology-based products globally.

The course instructors, the dean of engineering and the public relations department at Stanford have not responded to media requests for comment regarding the DEI statement requirement.

However, Stanford’s Department of Management Science and Engineering has an online page dedicated to its DEI efforts , stating, “Diversity is a fundamental value of the MS&E department. We value the academic, social, and broader community benefits that come from engaging with different viewpoints. We want our community to include and be supportive of perspectives from varying backgrounds.”

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