Tennessee lawmakers, including Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Andy Ogles, are looking into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices at major universities in the state, alleging that some have renamed their programs without implementing substantive changes.

This follows the release of videos by conservative news outlet Townhall, which show employees at Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, stating that DEI practices remain unchanged. 

Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have announced investigations and reviews into their practices. Belmont has denied operating a shadow DEI program on campus. However, Congressman Ogles has called for the US Department of Education to investigate Belmont. 

Vanderbilt has hired an independent firm, Baker Donelson, to  conduct a review of what it described as “covert recordings” on campus. TriStar Daily reported the details of the recording last week. 

“Baker Donelson will be tasked with reviewing the specific circumstances related to the recordings and identifying steps the university can take to ensure all employees fully understand the university’s policies and consistently act in accordance,”  Vanderbilt University said in a statement.

According to the statement, the firm aims to ensure employees fully understand the university’s policies, and staff involved will step back during the review.

In a letter to Senator Blackburn from UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman, the Universit stated that it takes her concerns seriously and that statements made by staff misrepresented the school’s policy. The UT President Randy Boyd has initiated a systemwide independent review of all access and engagement activities and mandated compliance training for employees to ensure adherence to the law. The university’s office is now called Access and Engagement, replacing DEI, with the name change having taken effect two years ago. 

What is at stake  for these universities if they fail to satisfy the questions of Blackburn, Ogles and the Trump administration? Laws and regulations can severely restrict federal funding of universities that continue to promote DEI policies. Perhaps equally important is the fact that they have now put themselves and some of their students in the target sights of ICE  and DHS.

Steve Gill is publisher of TriStar Daily and a national and international political commentator and analyst.