From “Rename and Remain” to “Reframe and Regain”: Reimagining Campus Inclusiveness

In my last article, I highlighted the crucial strategies of “person-first” and “targeted universalism” amid the wave of anti-DEI legislation in higher education. Initially, many of us embraced a “rename and remain” approach, believing that rebranding our initiatives would allow us to continue our essential work unscathed and without violating new policies. But as pressures intensified, it became evident that merely changing names to avoid detection was not viable long-term solution. The true path forward? We must shift from “rename and remain” to “reframe and regain.” This means not just altering labels but fundamentally rethinking and reclaiming our commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that our efforts are both resilient and impactful.