Recent shifts in federal policies are sending ripples through universities nationwide, including Florida A&M University, as diversity, equity and inclusion programs face funding cuts and restructuring. For many students at FAMU, a historically Black university, these changes are more than political; they’re personal.
Federal rollbacks on DEI initiatives, aimed at limiting race-conscious programming and scholarships, have led to uncertainty and concern on campus. For students who rely on these resources for academic, social and emotional support, the impact is already being felt.
“It feels like we’re losing part of what makes FAMU feel like home,” said Auriel Patton, a senior public relations student. “DEI programs helped students like me find community, mentorship and resources that reflect who we are. Without that, it’s like telling us we don’t matter.”
Programs that once offered cultural engagement events, mental health support for underrepresented groups, and funding for student organizations are now scaling back or disappearing altogether. Campus leaders say they’re doing their best to hold the community together with what little they have left.
Nailah Barnes, a campus queen and advocate for inclusive campus initiatives, emphasized the emotional toll these policy changes are taking.
“It’s more than just losing programs; it’s losing safe spaces,” Barnes said. “But FAMU students are resilient. We’re not giving up. We’re finding ways to keep pushing forward, even if it means creating new spaces ourselves.”
Some students are turning to grassroots organizing to fill the gaps. Peer-led support groups, cultural clubs and social justice forums are popping up with renewed energy. FAMU’s students are amplifying their voices to be motivated by the changes.
Despite the setbacks, many students remain hopeful. They see the current moment as a call to action.
“We’re used to fighting for what’s right,” Patton added. “If anything, this is just another reason for us to keep showing up and standing strong together.”
As the national conversation around DEI continues, FAMU students are making sure their voices are heard not just in Tallahassee but across the country.