AUSTIN, Texas — It’s been one week since universities were warned about complying with the state’s new anti-DEI law, and the University of Texas at Austin on Tuesday laid off an unknown number of staff who used to work in diversity, equity and inclusion-related positions. UT is also closing the Division of Campus and Community Engagement, according to an email from the university president.
Some students at UT say Texas’ ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives has gone too far. Cultural events have been canceled, funding for student organizations has been cut and even meeting centers are being closed.
Junior Elle Grinnell is the president of the UT’s National Pan-Hellenic Council (NHPC). It’s an organization that represents Black fraternities and sororities.
“I was asked to reserve a room on behalf of Onyx, which is our Black Honor Society, because they were having some trouble reserving that room. And so they were like, ‘Since NPHC isn’t affected, can y’all do this for us?’ Sadly, I was unable to do it,” Grinnell said.
She says since the DEI ban took effect, it's harder for Black students to exist on campus.
“UT is already only 4% Black, right? Like we’re a small population here,” said Grinnell.
Some education experts suggest some universities are overreacting to the mandate and fear what it could mean for keeping a diverse population of students and faculty on Texas campuses.
“They may be cutting programs that they don’t need to cut. There’s also a lot of lore about what’s actually happening and what isn’t, and so that’s creating an environment for students of color, students from diverse backgrounds, to question whether the universities have their back,” said David DeMatthews, an education professor at UT.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, authored Senate Bill 17 and recently sent a letter to universities warning their funding could be pulled if they don’t comply with the law. Universities have until May 3 to show the state how they are complying. A Senate hearing is also scheduled for next month.
“The bill was drafted very well,” Sen. Creighton said in an interview on Capital Tonight on Tuesday. “Will there be any needed tweaks or changes or revisions? That’s what this process is for.”
University compliance must include ensuring there are no DEI offices or staff on campus, prohibit DEI training requirements for students and staff and require that hiring practices be based on merit rather than someone’s identity. Additionally, diversity statements cannot be considered for hiring and schools must be prepared for regular state audits.
“I don’t care what you look like, who you sleep with, where you’re from, I want that value work performed to come through. That’s competency. That’s what we need to be testing to, teaching to, researching to. That’s really the big fundamental difference than one of these leftist, progressive three-letter, you know, anagrams like DEI,” said Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, who sits on the education committee.
Grinnell says she’s frustrated students have gotten caught in the crosshairs. She was also recently sworn in as student body vice president and says her administration has a plan to cultivate equality for diverse student organizations on campus no matter what.
“We would make sure that like they are able to book their rooms and have these events,” she said. “We’re also trying to figure out a few different other ways as well to make people feel more at home and more included.”
Click the video above to watch our full interview with Sen. Creighton.