The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has eliminated a dozen clubs sponsored by its former office of diversity, equity and inclusion and canceled all events and activities associated with them, citing President Donald Trump's recent executive orders and guidance from the military.
The following clubs were disbanded and prohibited from using government resources effective immediately, according to a statement from the U.S. Military Academy Communications Office:
- The Asian-Pacific Forum Club
- Contemporary Cultural Affairs Seminar Club
- Corbin Forum
- Japanese Forum Club
- Korean-American Relations Seminar
- Latin Cultural Club
- National Society of Black Engineers Club
- Native American Heritage Forum
- Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers
- Society of Women Engineers Club
- Spectrum
- Vietnamese-American Cadet Association.
“In accordance with recent guidance, the U.S. Military Academy is reviewing programs and activities affiliated with our former office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," the academy said in its statement. "The clubs disbanded yesterday were sponsored by that office. More than one hundred clubs remain at the U.S. Military Academy, and our leadership will continue to provide opportunities for cadets to pursue their academic, military, and physical fitness interests while following Army policy, directives, and guidance.”
The clubs also must unpublish, deactivate, archive, or remove public-facing content, according to the statement. Cadets and other personnel may participate in the activities in their off-duty time.
West Point says it continues to evaluate all clubs and groups.
"Some disbanded clubs may be allowed to reconstitute after re-submission of charter and review to ensure that we are in alignment with the appropriate directives and guidance. However, these will not be superficial changes to circumvent applicable policies," the academy's statement says.