IU Indianapolis Removes “Black Lives Matter” Amid DEI Overhaul

INDIANAPOLIS– IU Indianapolis has recently taken down two prominent signs from its downtown campus: one that read “Black Lives Matter” and another stating “Discrimination has no place here.” The banners were reportedly displayed on the exterior of a skywalk at the intersection of West Michigan Street and Blake Street.

This action coincides with the university’s recent announcement that it will close its system-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office and has reportedly shut down its DEI division’s website. According to university officials, these removals and programmatic changes are part of IU’s efforts to comply with new and evolving federal and state guidance surrounding DEI.

The changes at IU Indianapolis are not happening in isolation. Universities in other states, including Ohio and North Carolina, have taken similar steps over the last year as DEI programs have attracted increased scrutiny from lawmakers and system leaders.

Indiana’s Republican super majority last month also passed a law that bans many diversity, equity, and inclusion policies within state government and public institutions, although the law did not explicitly prohibit DEI departments themselves.

Discussions are ongoing within the IU Indianapolis community about the implications of these recent decisions.