867: College Disorientation

This episode of "This American Life," titled "College Disorientation," explores the impact of new policies and directives, particularly those from the Trump administration, on college campuses. The episode begins at Arizona State University's international student orientation, highlighting the challenges international students face, including visa rejections. The first act focuses on Nevaeh Parker, a Black Student Union president at the University of Utah, and her efforts to maintain the BSU in the face of anti-DEI laws that limit resources and funding for specific identity groups. The second act discusses the effects of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism on Columbia University, where professors are altering their teaching methods or canceling courses due to concerns about government oversight and potential accusations of antisemitism. The episode reveals a landscape where diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are being curtailed, and universities are navigating new restrictions that impact students and faculty.