Requiring students to make a DEI statement to qualify for a course is “inappropriate” and could cross the line of compelled speech, according to a Brookings expert.

Stanford University is requiring those applying to enroll in the school’s Global Entrepreneurial Marketing course offered by the Department of Management Science and Engineering to make a diversity and inclusion statement.

“Diversity is an important part of the mission of the Stanford MS&E Department and this class,” the required diversity & inclusion statement question states. “Please use this opportunity to describe how you will contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion in this class.”

The course’s question was posted by Jonathan Rauch on his X account. “Here's what some @Stanford engineering instructors are requiring of prospective students for course enrollment,” Rauch said.

Rauch acquired the screenshot of the question from “a member of the Stanford community,” he told The Center Square.