"One day after entering office in January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that banned what it called "discriminatory" diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the federal government, promising to "restor[e] merit-based opportunity." It was the administration's first mention of merit, which would soon become a buzzword both in and out of the higher education context. In a joint address to Congress in March, Trump said that under his leadership, individuals would be "hired based on merit" rather than race or gender."
"Higher education leaders have long argued about what merit actually entails in the admissions process. Some believe it should be quantified only by measurable academic metrics, such as grades and standardized test scores. But others argue that nonacademic achievements such as creative talent, leadership skills, commitment to service and even traits like kindness and empathy can both indicate academic excellence and improve the overall campus community."
One day after entering office in January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning "discriminatory" diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the federal government, promising to "restor[e] merit-based opportunity." The administration framed merit in opposition to racial preferences in college admissions and emphasized hiring "based on merit" rather than race or gender. A Department of Justice memo described academic merit as a "universally applicable" criterion for deciding scholarships and related awards. The federal government requested that universities agree to make admissions decisions based upon and evaluate academic merit in exchange for preferential funding treatment. Higher education leaders remain divided, with some favoring measurable academic metrics and others valuing nonacademic achievements and character.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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