Mount Holyoke College: Student Groups Must Develop Anti-Racist Plans to be Recognized

In July 2026, reports emerged that Mount Holyoke College requires all student organizations to complete diversity, equity, and inclusion training and develop anti-racist plans as criteria for recognition. Soon after FIRE learned of this mandate, the specific requirement language was removed from MHC’s RSO Annual Recognition page. However, the college has not made clear whether these requirements have been formally rescinded. On August 5, FIRE wrote MHC, asking for clarification and calling for MHC to eliminate any requirements that do not align with their commitment to free expression. We explained that the college must use only content- and viewpoint-neutral criteria to recognize student organizations, and that requiring anti-racist plans compels adoption of particular views on contested issues of race. This infringes on RSO’s freedom to dissent on matters of public concern.