This piece is part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series, Campus Radicals. For the complete series, visit their website.

A professor from the University of Washington has publicly criticized the institution’s stringent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates for hiring new faculty. The university employs a detailed performance rubric, complete with a scorecard that evaluates DEI strategies, to assess potential professors.

Stuart Reges, who serves as a non-tenured teaching professor at the university’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, expressed his concerns that he would not meet the current DEI criteria, despite his notable academic contributions to the university.

“To earn a high evaluation, you must demonstrate extensive knowledge of DEI principles,” Reges shared with Fox News Digital. “Ironically, I doubt I would be considered if I applied now. Despite receiving the Distinguished Teaching Award from this university, these new requirements would likely disqualify me.”

Stuart Reges has openly challenged the University of Washington’s diversity prerequisites for new professor applications. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The University of Washington’s listing for an associate professor of school psychology role includes a mandatory “diversity statement” for all applicants, signifying a pledge to the university’s “commitment to racial equity.” 

“A one-page diversity statement describing your identity, positionality, experience and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and alignment to the APA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Framework,” the job posting reads. “In addition, describe your philosophy of teaching and learning, including how your work will further the College of Education’s commitment to racial equity and social justice.”

Seattle Red radio host Jason Rantz also blasted the university’s hiring policy, saying that “this application process makes it easier to discriminate against conservatives, which is precisely why you won’t hear the far-left faculty speak out,” in his recent op-ed.

Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Washington in March 2025.  (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

“The university isn’t looking for diverse thought; it’s enforcing a monoculture of approved political opinions,” Rantz added.

In addition to the mandatory application diversity statement, the professor explained that a grading rubric to assess a potential professor’s performance includes a section labeled “Diversity,” ranking applicants on a scale of poor to excellent.

A “Poor” rating describes the professor displaying “little evidence of potential to contribute to the UW Diversity Blueprint.” 

“I’ve known faculty, very talented faculty who’ve left because of this kind of pressure and people who won’t even apply,” Reges explained. “I think a lot of grad students who might’ve wanted a career in teaching are kind of saying, why bother?”

The grading rubric used to score potential professors at the University of Washington.  (Stuart Reges)

“I mean, look at all of the crap that you have to deal with,” Reges added. “You have to kind of basically make up a statement that’s going to make them happy saying the things that you’re going to do.”

The publicly funded University of Washington’s dedication to “challenge” itself to implement DEI policies brings into question its alignment with President Donald Trump’s executive order from January titled: “President Donald J. Trump Protects Civil Rights and Merit-Based Opportunity by Ending Illegal DEI.”

“Many corporations and universities use DEI as an excuse for biased and unlawful employment practices and illegal admissions preferences, ignoring the fact that DEI’s foundational rhetoric and ideas foster intergroup hostility and authoritarianism,” the executive order reads. 

The University of Washington scores professors using a rubric that grades teachers on diversity.  (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

In March, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched investigations into a number of universities for “race-exclusionary practices in education programs and activities.”

The University of Washington was among those universities being investigated.

“The University of Washington does not view diversity and access as being in opposition to merit and excellence, and we remain committed to providing access to excellence for all,” a spokesperson for the university told Fox News Digital. “Our hiring practices adhere to state and federal laws in ensuring that race is not a factor in hiring, and the UW has acted proactively when such a violation is known to have occurred.”

“Schools, colleges and departments within the University have significant latitude in their hiring practices, however all must adhere to state and federal laws,” the spokesperson added. 

“The College of Education search referenced in a recent local commentator’s blog post was in compliance with these laws, but to prevent any ambiguity or misinterpretation, we are canceling it and providing additional guidance on hiring practices before it is reposted,” the spokesperson continued. “We are also reviewing hiring practices more broadly to ensure that they follow state and federal laws.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House but did not receive a response. 

Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston