New Undercover Video Raises Fresh Questions About DEI Practices At ASU

Arizona State University is facing renewed scrutiny following the release of another undercover video appearing to show a university staff member discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming amid continuing federal and state scrutiny of such initiatives.

The latest video, released this week by investigative organization Accuracy in Media (AIM) features Kayla Elizondo-Nunez, identified as a graduate program coordinator within ASU’s School of Social Transformation, speaking with an undercover investigator posing as a prospective student. According to reporting by The College Fix, Elizondo-Nunez said, “We are DEI,” and discussed courses involving racial theory and progressive communities in the Phoenix area. “We do have a good community. There are lots of other progressive communities around … the Phoenix area,” she added.

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Dr. Owen Anderson, a philosophy professor at ASU and a fellow at the university’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, highlighted the report in a post to his Substack Thursday, asking, “Will ASU administrators do anything to stay eligible for federal grant money? Will ABOR provide the oversight it was designed to give when universities are openly breaking federal law?” Anderson concluded, “We will have to wait and see.”  (Editors note: ABOR is the Arizona Board of Regents)

Dr. Anderson is challenging what he describes as an ASU DEI training requirement in litigation supported by The Goldwater Institute, which the institute petitioned the Arizona Supreme Court to hear in February. In a March interview with Fox & Friends, Anderson said, “I was told I need to ‘decolonize my classroom,’ and give proof that I’ve ‘decolonized’ my syllabus.”

I was on Fox and Friends this morning to talk about the court case on required DEI training at ASU. @elonmusk @Ann_Atkinson_AZ @SethLeibsohn @charliekirk11 @prageru @streitmarissa @anthonykernAZ @QuangNguyenAZ @azaustinsmith https://t.co/RQgavPiLug

— Dr Owen Anderson (@dr_owenanderson) March 22, 2024

The video is the latest in a series of undercover recordings released by AIM, featuring Arizona State University personnel discussing DEI-related programming or institutional priorities. Earlier videos featured ASU staff and administrators making statements suggesting DEI principles remain incorporated into university programming, curriculum, or administrative goals despite public policy changes and revised terminology. 

According to prior reporting, ASU enrollment coach Megan Neumann stated the university was still “actively” incorporating DEI while needing to be “cautious,” while psychology academic success advisor Allison Reynolds described DEI as a “big part” of university goals and connected it to curriculum and faculty activities. Other previously released recordings cited by AIM included statements from Associate Dean Chandra Crudup and additional staff discussing continued inclusion-related programming under revised language or institutional frameworks. 

ASU has maintained that it complies with applicable law and university policy.

According to statements previously provided to media outlets, university officials said ASU “complies fully with federal law and does not discriminate in admissions or scholarship selections.” The university has also stated it does not comment on secret recordings of employees who are not authorized to speak on behalf of ASU. 

ASU President Michael Crow previously acknowledged the existence of earlier undercover recordings and said the university was reviewing the matter. According to reporting by KJZZ and The College Fix, Crow criticized the covert recording tactic, describing it as “a terrible thing to do to someone.” 

The recordings come amid broader national debate and evolving policy surrounding DEI programs at public universities. Arizona universities operate under Arizona Board of Regents policies prohibiting unlawful discrimination and are also subject to Article 2, Section 36 of the Arizona Constitution, which bars preferential treatment or discrimination based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public education and other public programs.

The latest AIM release has also prompted national attention. According to The College Fix, watchdog group Protect the Public’s Trust filed a federal complaint alleging ASU continues DEI-related programming despite policy changes and prior public assurances regarding compliance.