On July 4, 2026, a federal court in Southern Ohio dismissed a tenured professor’s claim that Miami University violated his rights by discontinuing several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs. The case, Rice v. Schell, involved the closure of multiple DEI-related entities at the public university, including the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence, various DEI service committees, the Inclusive Excellence Faculty Fellows Program, and DEI Professional Development Day, among others.

Judge Matthew McFarland ruled that while professors have First Amendment protections regarding their own speech in academic functions, these rights do not extend to dictating which university programs or committees must be maintained. The court emphasized that Miami University’s decision to discontinue these programs constitutes the institution’s own speech in determining the content of education it provides to promote its policies and mission.

The ruling noted that government entities like public universities are accountable to the electorate and political processes rather than being bound by rules against viewpoint discrimination in such institutional decisions. The court also highlighted that the board of trustees of state institutions is responsible for adopting and enforcing policies concerning university programs.

The professor’s claims did not demonstrate any constitutional or statutory violation sufficient to proceed in federal court, as he remained unimpeded in his teaching, research, and scholarship.

Sources

  • Eugene Volokh, "Court Rejects Professor's Claim That Discontinuation of University DEI Offices and Programs Violated Professor's Rights," Reason, July 4, 2026. Read more