Emory University, a private college in Atlanta, will discontinue its DEI program in order to follow federal law, the institution announced Wednesday.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and the federal government in January.

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Emory University interim President Leah Ward Sears said the move will not end the school’s “unwavering commitment to fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all.”

“The Emory I believe in is committed to every person having an equal place, voice, and chance to succeed,” Sears said. “We demonstrate this every day through how we lead, hire, mentor, and serve. Closing offices or reimagining lawful programs is not, after all, the same as ending our unwavering commitment to fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all, values that are part of Emory’s DNA.”

29.3% of Emory’s student body in 2024 was white, 25.8% Asian, 9.9% black, and 11.8% Hispanic/Latino.

Sears said the move was “guided by the Office of General Counsel and other campus officials,” and that they will “work closely with each impacted employee to provide appropriate support and assistance through the transition.”

Sears, a former Georgia Supreme Court justice, began her tenure as interim president on Sept. 1. Previous President Gregory Louis Fenves ended his term then but stayed on in a chancellor role.

She also said the move was spurred on by “changing expectations.”

“We live in a time of changing expectations and new requirements, however,” Sears said. “Federal laws and mandates have been implemented that require higher education institutions to alter fundamentally or even close offices and programs focused on DEI. The standards are clear, and we must act accordingly.”

Emory received around $660 million in federal research funding for 2024. The Trump administration has threatened to rescind federal funding for any college that does not listen to the administration’s set demands or policies. Many of the demands include shuttering DEI programs.

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Federal funding accounts for over half of Emory’s $1.1 billion in research funding. Most other schools threatened with federal demands have ceded to keep their funding.

Limited exceptions include the elite Harvard University, which has sued the administration for dropping its funding. However, it is still negotiating with the administration to resolve the conflict.