Abstract

The paper discusses demographic change and the impact of diversity policies in US higher education during a critical period of change. The first part of the paper examines the decline in higher education enrolments that began in 2011 and its impact in different sectors of the US system. The second part examines the extent of change in the socio-economic, racial, gender, and nationality composition of US college students. The third part examines the new policies put into place to foster more inclusive campuses in the face of demographic change. It also examines the response of conservative states to these policies, leading to the end of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices in several states, as well as the abandonment of several practices supported by these offices. The forces supporting and opposing these policies are examined in depth as are events such as the pandemic and racial protests of 2020-2021 and the Israel-Hamas war of 2023-2024 that influenced outcomes in US states.