Arizona State University Accused of Secretly Continuing DEI Curriculum

Second federal complaint filed against school after dean confirms hidden diversity programs

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Arizona State University is facing a second federal complaint after an associate dean was caught on camera admitting the school is secretly continuing its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs despite federal orders to stop. The complaint alleges that ASU has been changing the language used to describe the programs in order to avoid detection, but the DEI curriculum is still being implemented across campus.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between universities and federal mandates regarding DEI programs. The complaints allege that ASU is deliberately trying to circumvent the ban on such programs, raising questions about academic freedom, transparency, and the role of the federal government in regulating curriculum.

The details

Protect the Public's Trust (PPT) filed a complaint against ASU on Monday after associate dean Chandra Crudup was recorded saying the school has changed the language used, but is "still doing DEI" across different departments. This comes after a previous complaint filed by PPT in January about another ASU administrator making a similar admission. Crudup revealed the school operates an "inclusion network" that provides faculty with tools to insert DEI into programs.

  • On January 28, 2026, PPT filed an initial complaint against ASU.
  • On February 10, 2026, PPT filed a second complaint after Chandra Crudup's comments were recorded.

The players

Protect the Public's Trust (PPT)

A nonprofit organization that filed the federal complaints against Arizona State University over its alleged continuation of DEI programs.

Chandra Crudup

An associate dean at Arizona State University who was recorded admitting the school is secretly continuing DEI curriculum despite federal orders.

Rebecca Loftus

The former associate director of the ASU criminology department who previously admitted that DEI is still embedded in the school's curriculum.

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What they’re saying

“It's all still happening.”

— Chandra Crudup, Associate Dean of Inclusive Design for Equity and Access and Clinical Associate Professor (Accuracy in Media)

“Another employee confirms that the university is continuing to employ discriminatory DEI policies but trying to keep them under wraps so that students, parents, and the public aren't aware.”

— Michael Chamberlain, Director of Protect the Public's Trust (Daily Caller News Foundation)

What’s next

The Department of Education, Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services have all received the complaints filed against Arizona State University. It remains to be seen how these federal agencies will respond to the allegations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle over diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities, with allegations that some schools are trying to circumvent federal orders banning such initiatives. The situation at ASU raises broader questions about academic freedom, transparency, and the appropriate role of government in regulating higher education curriculum.