In response to inquiries from legislators over whether the university’s emphasis on identity has impeded political discourse, the president of the university said on Tuesday that the university will close its office dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives. According to the AP, state legislators discussed whether or not to restrict DEI practices at public universities before taking this measure. The issue was not resolved by Republican supermajorities in the Kentucky House or Senate before the current session ended in April, but it was anticipated that the topic would come up again when lawmakers met early in the following year. UK President Eli Capilouto stated, “This should in no way be construed as impinging upon academic freedom.”
Units contained in the defunct Office for Institutional Diversity will be relocated elsewhere, including into a newly established a newly created Office for Community Relations, Capilouto said.
He emphasized that the school’s fundamental principles—defending academic freedom and encouraging a “sense of belonging” for all students on campus, irrespective of background or viewpoint—remain unaltered. “But we’ve also listened to policymakers and heard many of their questions about whether we appear partisan or political on the issues of our day and, as a result, narrowly interpret things solely through the lens of identity,” Capilouto stated. There are other places where DEI is being targeted:
Chancellor Rodney Bennett of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln declared on Tuesday that the Office of Diversity and Inclusion would be disbanded. Bennett became the first Black leader of Nebraska’s premier public university campus last year when he was hired.
“I fully grasp the weight of this decision and its implications, but a centralized approach to this work is no longer right for our institution,” Bennett wrote in a letter to the public. “It is incumbent on each of us to foster a welcoming environment for all members of our community,” added the politician.
A budget plan enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature of Iowa would outlaw any DEI offices and programs in higher education that aren’t required to abide by federal law or accreditation requirements.
Targeting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” activities in state government and higher education, Republican politicians in Missouri have introduced a number of laws. Even if the legislation hasn’t been passed, the initiatives have forced institutions to alter. Recently, the University of Missouri declared that it is ending its Inclusion, Diversity and Equity division.
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