Diversity, equity and inclusion offices to close at higher-ed schools
Senate Bill 17, which bans DEI initiatives in public institutions of higher education in Texas, goes into effect Jan 1, 2024, but changes at UTRGV’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the DREAM Resource Center have already begun.
“With this bold, forward-thinking legislation to eliminate DEI programs, Texas is leading the nation, ensuring our campuses return to focusing on the strength of diversity and promoting a merit-based approach where individuals are judged on their qualifications, skills and contributions,” state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), the bill’s author, was quoted as saying in a news release from the Texas Senate.
SB 17 will close DEI offices on the campuses of state-funded colleges and universities and put an end to all activities that discriminate against students based on their race, ethnicity or gender, according to the Texas Senate.
The bill defines a DEI office as any unit of an institution that is established for the purpose of:
–influencing hiring or employment practices at the institution with respect to race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other than through the use of color-blind and sex-neutral hiring processes
–promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color or ethnicity
–promoting policies or procedures designed or implemented to race, color or ethnicity
–conducting trainings, programs or activities designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
In an email sent to The Rider on Aug. 24, Patrick Gonzales, UTRGV vice president for Marketing and Communications, wrote that the university is “currently reviewing SB 17 legislation and working diligently to develop an implementation plan.”
On Aug. 15, The Rider tried to access the Center for Diversity and Inclusion page on the university’s website, which provided information on the DREAM Resource Center and the Learn, Empower, Advance, Promote program, but was met with the notification “page not found.”
However, an archived mission statement from the CDI is available on V Link. An online brochure is available under the “Departments and Programs” tab on the Dean of Students webpage.
Gonzales said the CDI and DREAM Resource Center “will remain open until they receive guidance and instructions from the university regarding how to effectively comply with SB 17.”
“In anticipation of the new law, Student Affairs has taken steps to prepare for upcoming transitions of programming facilitated by CDI and the DREAM Resource Center, by centralizing under the Center for Student Involvement,” Gonzales said. “Consolidating resources will allow Student Affairs to support affinity-based student organizations, while continuing to provide cultural programming for students to attend.”
On Aug. 29, The Rider visited the CDI and DREAM Resource Center on the Edinburg campus, and was informed by the student employees that it was no longer in operation or providing resources to students.
The student employees confirmed there are no faculty employed by the university working at the center any longer, and UTRGV students do not have access to the resources provided by the CDI and DREAM Resource Center.
The Rider requested an interview with Dean of Students Rebecca K. Gadson, who played an integral part in the development of the DREAM Resource Center, but in an email on Aug. 28 Gadson replied, “Patrick Gonzales shared that he would be reaching out to you regarding the requests for interviews related to SB 17 and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and DREAM Resource Center.”
In an interview with The Rider, Texas Rising member and psychology junior Melanie Martinez said, “On campus, the concern for the passing of SB 17 has been the destruction of the DEI offices at UTRGV … not only UTRGV, every university statewide. And … the deficit of support that there will be surrounding people of different ethnicities, sexual orientations, races, abilities, physical abilities, etc. …
“Now, these people are not going to have the support they need. … How are we going to be able to supplement that, now that it’s not going to be a responsibility of the university?”
Martinez is the Edinburg campus organizer for the nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that focuses on progressive issues. Texas Rising conducted chapter meetings on recent bills that were passed during the Texas legislative session, she said.
Activity from a student organization relating to diversity, equity and inclusion registered with or recognized by an institution will not be affected by SB 17, according to the legislation.
“Now, those responsibilities that were once the universities’ will now be delegated to student organizations, such as Texas Rising and other similar organizations,” Martinez said. “Now, that’s going to be on us to be able to provide these spaces for support.”
The Rider contacted the Student Government Association office on Aug. 30 and confirmed UTRGV student organizations requesting the special event fund, which helps with the cost of hosting educational and humanitarian events, would not be impacted by the bill.
On Aug. 28, The Rider requested an interview with Paul Corliss, the UT System’s associate vice chancellor for External Relations and Communications, regarding the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, but he requested questions be sent in advance.
The Rider told Corliss that it does not release questions in advance of an interview.
Asked what type of message SB 17 sends to students, Martinez replied, “A lack of support and a lack of care. That’s really what that communicates to not just myself, but all other UTRGV students.”
