A Message from the President: Update on DEI Response

It has been three months since my administration and the UW Board of Trustees announced the closure of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -- and initiated a transition in response to legislative action that removed $1.73 million from our budget and directed that no state dollars be spent on the DEI office. I first want to say that I am proud of our community members for their participation, professionalism and candor over the last several months as UW navigates this new phase. The DEI office was a source of support for the university community, and many of us are affected by its absence. This transition will not be easy. But I am hopeful that we will navigate this process so that each and every one of us can continue to feel supported by the university in our professional and academic endeavors.

In approaching this sensitive and politically charged topic, I recommended to the Board of Trustees a review and potential modification or elimination of UW activities that work to advantage or disadvantage individuals or groups on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation, or equalize or increase outcomes as compared to other individuals or groups; or promote the position that the action of a group or an individual is inherently, unconsciously or implicitly biased, privileged or inherently superior or inferior on the basis of color, sex, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Excluded from the review and recommendations are programs that address requirements necessary for training students and employees on the nondiscrimination requirements of state and federal law; requirements for access programs for military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, nontraditional students, low-income students or people with disabilities; academic accreditation and athletic compliance; and student fees to support student-led organizations and their use of faculty sponsors and university facilities. Additionally, the university will continue to protect academic freedom and freedom of expression, which are among core principles of the university identified by the working group I charged earlier this year.

Here are updates on three key elements of the university's continuing response:

Vice Provost for Access and Engagement

As announced by Provost and Executive Vice President Kevin Carman earlier this month, Professor Brandon McElroy, of the Department of Geology and Geophysics, has been appointed as the Vice Provost for Access and Engagement. He will work over the next year with members of the university community to help us manage this transition. This will include helping to ensure that campus activities can continue as effectively as possible and that we maintain critical functions that were previously managed by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity and Prohibited Efforts Board Action

We now have a UW Board of Trustees action in place that addresses equal opportunity and prohibited efforts. There's also a list of answers to frequently asked questions available to guide the university community in understanding and implementing this new action. Under development is a standard administrative policy and procedure on what can and cannot be funded using state dollars. I encourage everyone to read the board action and FAQs and to reach out to Vice Provost McElroy if you have questions.

When it comes to some high-profile events -- such as the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice and the Wyoming Latina Youth Conference -- the university will continue to support them by partnering with the UW Foundation to generate private funding. We will also continue to seek the support of the Black 14 members to resume the Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute.

Multicultural Affairs Change

A significant change that is being made in response to the new board action is a repurposing of the university's Office of Multicultural Affairs. It will be transitioned into the Pokes Center for Community Resources, which will provide a centralized location where all students and their families can learn about institutional and community resources pertaining to basic needs and life skills development. The center will serve as a conduit for education and material support in areas such as food and housing security, family support, employment and general living skills. The center will partner with Student Care and Outreach, Student Success and Graduation, the Wellness Center, the Office of Transfer Relations, International Students and Scholars, and others to ensure students have access to housing information, food security resources, child care information and more.

No positions are being eliminated in this change, but job descriptions are changing for four positions. The Pokes Center for Community Resources team will maintain space in the Wyoming Union. The Poke Pride Center will become a centralized clothing and resource closet sustained with donations of professional and seasonal clothing. The office will maintain computer lab access and space for hosting programs, events and regular study hours.

Programs formerly facilitated by Multicultural Affairs can be continued by student organizations, if they so desire.

In closing, I reiterate that these changes do not affect classroom instruction and research, as academic freedom remains a core principle of the university. Other core principles are that the university is committed to being open and welcoming to all; supporting and treating everyone fairly and respectfully; being politically neutral as an institution; basing hiring and grading exclusively on merit; and considering the needs of all students, faculty and staff.

Sincerely,

Ed Seidel, President

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