The University of Kentucky has announced that it will be dissolving its Office for Institution Diversity as the nationwide rejection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs continues to spread throughout America.
Purpose of DEI Programs
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and these programs were originally created to support marginalized communities so that they could receive fair opportunities and help develop inclusive cultures within companies and schools.
Trend of Dropping DEI Programs
Now, the University of Kentucky is the latest school to drop its DEI program, following in the steps of many other companies and schools, ranging from CNN to the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company.
Conservative Pressure Influences Decisions
While part of the reason such programs are being taken down is pressure from conservative voices on social media, there has also been a massive push against these programs from conservative politicians as well.
University President Cites Political Influence
The University of Kentucky President, Eli Capilouto, said conservative lawmakers played a large role in their decision to disband the Office for Institution Diversity because of their belief that such a program was an indicator of partisan bias.
Criticism From Republican Lawmakers
Unsurprisingly, Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have consistently been critical of DEI programs and argued against them for promoting division within the treatment of students.
Claims of Reverse Discrimination
These conservative Kentucky lawmakers feel DEI programs actually have the opposite effect towards their intended purpose by actually creating discrimination against white conservatives.
Legislative Pressure Leads to Closure
The University’s decision to disband the Office for Institutional Diversity was made after a long back and forth with legislators over the summer about the DEI program’s effect on the University.
Restructuring Responsibilities
As the school closes the Office for Institutional Diversity, it will also be restructuring the office’s former responsibilities to other parts of the university, like the newly created Office for Community Relations.
Avoiding Job Losses
By creating the new Office for Community Relations, the school will avoid any job losses for those who helped create a welcoming environment for students at the school.
Assurance of Academic Freedom
“This should in no way be construed as impinging upon academic freedom. Faculty decide what to teach as part of formal instruction and where discovery should take them as scholars in their areas of expertise,” UK President Capilouto emphasized.
Part of a Broader National Trend
This push from the Kentucky legislature against DEI efforts is part of a broader national trend that can be seen in at least 28 other states where similar legislation has been introduced.
Criticism of Anti-DEI Legislation
These bills against DEI initiatives focus on portraying such initiatives as expensive and ineffective and promoting divisive political agendas from liberal policymakers.
Critics Warn of Reversing Progress
However, many critics have come forward against the push of anti-DEI initiatives and warned that this move could reverse the progress that has been made for minority student enrollment.
Concerns Over Surrender to Political Agenda
“This action is deeply disheartening, reflecting the institution’s surrender to an oppressive political agenda rather than the evidence that is amply abundant,” said DeShana Collett, a professor at the University of Kentucky.
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