After a 2013 New York Times article identified WashU as having one of the least socioeconomically diverse student bodies among elite colleges, the University has launched several initiatives aimed at diversifying its overall student population. One such focus has been  on rural student recruitment, which fully launched in 2023, and has led to a 34% increase in rural first-year enrollment between fall 2023 and fall 2024. 

As a coalition of affinity groups representing Black, Latine, and Asian students at WashU, we are deeply disappointed by the substantial decline in students of color enrolling at WashU.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) celebrated its 10th anniversary during the month of September through a plethora of events and collaborative initiatives, marking a decade of fostering community and belonging for the multiple identity-centered groups on campus.

WashU’s Class of 2028 is the first class since 1961 to have gone through the admissions process without Affirmative Action policies. With the start of the semester, the data is out on how the Supreme Court’s abolishment of Affirmative Action has impacted the racial makeup of WashU’s newest class — with the most notable difference being that the enrollment of students of color decreased by six percentage points.

Washington University ranked No. 24 in the annual Best National University Rankings list by U.S. News & World Report, nine spots lower than last year’s No. 15 ranking.

Chancellor Andrew Martin released a statement on June 29 on behalf of the Washington University administration in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action at higher education institutions. 

I cannot understand the choice to bring Amala Ekpunobi, a transphobic content creator for PragerU, to Washington University’s campus (nor can I understand paying almost $11,000 for her). As a member of the SU Treasury, I spent hours combing through Ekpunobi’s videos, and they seem to show a clear contempt for the identities that many people hold on this campus.

The Student Union Senate calls on the University to extend the First Year Startup Grant administered by the Financial Aid office for a second year, as a means of easing laundry costs for students receiving financial aid and providing a comprehensive support system in and out of the classroom. 

Junior Matthew Friedman’s appointment as editor-in-chief was announced by the Washington University Student Media Inc. board of directors at their annual gala held over Zoom, Feb. 12.

It is embarrassing that Washington University currently offers zero dedicated buildings for students of diverse racial, socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds: Turning over fraternity houses to underrepresented students is a necessary first step to reverse this trend.