PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Colleges and universities in Arizona are changing, or outright canceling, some graduation ceremonies to ensure they align with President Trump’s efforts to ban diversity , Equity, and Inclusion.

If they don’t comply, it could cost public universities and colleges federal funding and the ability to accept financial aid.

“It takes a lot for Native students to get to a college. Huge sacrifices are made. They have to leave their homes oftentimes, living on different reservations,” said James Riding In .

Co-founder of the American Indian Studies program at Arizona State University , Riding In attended over two dozen American Indian Convocations over his time at the university.

“I find them very significant in that it is a celebration of life. It’s a celebration of accomplishment,” he said.

In late February, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights reaffirmed its stance that school-sponsored or endorsed racially segregated graduation ceremonies are not allowed. In his joint address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump spoke about DEI.

“We’ve ended the tyranny of so-called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and indeed the private sector and our military. And our country will be woke no longer,” said President Trump.

On ASU’s website, what used to be convocations for Hispanic, American Indian, and other minorities are now called “ celebrations ” and in a letter obtained by Arizona’s Family, Maricopa Community Colleges announced it would not hold convocations for special interest groups or diverse communities this year.

“The move to get rid of the convocations is not only misguided, but it’s sickening,” says Riding In. “I hope to go to another one. I hope that this attack on the celebration of diversity is not eliminated.”

An Arizona State University spokesperson shared the following statement with Arizona’s Family.

“ASU has graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies where degrees are conferred. There also are academic convocations in the individual colleges. There are, and will continue to be, celebrations held by and for various student groups. All events are open to all graduating students.”

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