The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is the latest college to end its Office of Diversity and Inclusion, thanks to the nationwide push from conservative lawmakers against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in both schools and businesses.
Purpose of DEI Programs
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and these programs were developed to support marginalized communities in businesses and schools in order to provide fair opportunities and create an inclusive culture.
Nationwide Push Against DEI
However, new state laws are being pushed by conservatives across the country to shut down DEI programs and LGBTQ+ support centers at schools and businesses.
Legislative Backlash Against DEI
Since early 2023, over 59 bills have been introduced that target DEI programs in more than two dozen states, thanks to the growing national backlash against diversity initiatives.
UNL Joins Trend in Ending DEI
The latest school to take part in dropping its DEI support center is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which they are closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Controversy and Concerns at UNL
However, the decision to close the office has sparked a significant controversy for the school as staff and students alike worry that this move will negatively impact the school’s ability to support marginalized students.
The Decision Comes From the UNL Chancellor
The decision to end the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion comes directly from the school’s chancellor, Rodney Bennett.
Chancellor Bennett’s Justification
Chancellor Bennett says he is ending the program because he wants to decentralize the university’s diversity efforts by reallocating responsibilities across various departments in the school.
“Reimagining Diversity at UNL”
Chancellor Bennett stated that closing the office is part of a broader strategy to “reimagine how we approach this work at UNL.”
Responsibilities Reallocated Across Departments
Chancellor Bennett announced that the office’s responsibilities will now be divided among the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Office of Business & Finance, and the Office of Student Life.
Reassurance of Continued Support
In his announcement, Bennett also reassured community concerns that the office may be closing, but the university will still continue to support diversity and inclusivity through these restructured efforts.
Commitment to Inclusivity
“We will steadfastly uphold the principle that every person and every interaction matters, and we will continue to recruit and support faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and identities,” Bennett stated.
Community Fears Negative Impact
While the school administration claims this restructuring will still allow the school to maintain its inclusivity, many community members fear it will have the opposite effect.
Students Express Deep Concern
Students like Edajah Aden said they were deeply concerned about the closure because the Office of Diversity and Inclusion played a crucial role in helping them navigate the challenges of university life.
Importance of DEI Office for Students
Aden told Lincoln & Hastings-Krny KOLN that the office helped him connect with other students of color, foster important friendships, and develop a vital support network within the school.
“Lifelong Friendships” Through DEI Office
“The Office of Diversity and Inclusion helped me get connected to other students,” Aden shared. “And through that, I met so many other students of color. We’re still friends to this day, and I feel like we’re lifelong friends.”
Criticism From Student Leaders
Zein Saleh, the ASUN internal vice president, also criticized the decision, saying it “really kind of minimizes the importance or seems to kind of create the perception that UNL doesn’t care as much about the DEI.”
Faculty Concerns About Mental Well-Being
Dr. Joy Castro, the director of the Institute for Ethnic Studies at UNL, also highlighted her concerns that this decision could have a negative impact on the mental well-being of the student body.
Impact on Community Morale
“At the beginning of a new semester, this news will register in intensely demoralizing ways for many members of our community,” Castro said.
Political Support for Office Closure
However, the decision to dissolve the office has also been supported by political figures like Governor Jim Pillen, who previously endorsed the creation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in 2018.
Governor Pillen’s Endorsement
“Although that office should never have been established in the first place, it takes courage for a leader to recognize a mistake and chart a new direction,” Pillen stated.
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