South Carolina
Legislation has been proposed. Here’s the latest.
Clemson University
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Clemson University renamed the Office of Inclusion and Equity to the division of community, engagement, belonging, and access. Source: States Newsroom
Coastal Carolina University
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Coastal Carolina University rebranded its Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Division of University Belonging and Student Affairs. Source: The Chanticleer
University of South Carolina
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices Details: The University of South Carolina renamed its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Division of Access, Civil Rights, and Community Engagement, and changed the title of the vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion to vice president for access, civil rights, and community engagement. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
South Dakota
No legislation has been proposed.
South Dakota State University
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: South Dakota State University changed “diversity” as a core value of its Pathway to Premier 2030 strategic plan to “Opportunity for All.” Source: Collegian Media
Tennessee
In 2023, Gov. William B. Lee, a Republican, signed SB 102 into law, banning mandatory DEI training. It went into effect in May 2023. Other legislation has been proposed. Here’s the latest.
Austin Peay State University
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: Austin Peay State University created a divisive-concepts complaint form. Source: Austin Peay State University statement
East Tennessee State University
Summary of changes: Offices; training Details: East Tennessee State University closed its diversity office and changed a “training about identifying and preventing discrimination and harassment in the work place” to be optional. Source: Statement to The Chronicle of Higher Education from a university official, WJHL
Middle Tennessee State University
Summary of changes: Offices; websites and statements; other DEI-related activities Details: Middle Tennessee State University removed references to diversity, equity, and inclusion from its university website and publications; revised scholarship programs that include DEI-based criteria, including donor-supported scholarships; eliminated sponsorships and support of initiatives, programs, and services related to DEI; and shut down the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students. Source: MTSU Sidelines, MTSU Sidelines
University of Tennessee system (five campuses)
Summary of changes: Offices Details: The University of Tennessee system renamed its Division of Diversity and Engagement to the Division of Access and Engagement; and created a divisive-concepts complaint form. Source: Daily Beacon
Vanderbilt University
Summary of changes: Offices; websites and statements Details: Vanderbilt University renamed the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity to the Student Center for Belonging and Communities; took down its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion page, which now redirects to “You at VU;" and deleted an “Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility” statement from its library system’s website. The university’s medical center ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Source: Nashville Banner, Vanderbilt Hustler, WSMV
Texas
In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed SB 17 and the state’s 2024-25 budget, banning DEI offices, mandatory DEI training, identity-based preferences, the use of diversity statements, and funding for DEI efforts at public colleges. The laws went into effect in January 2024 and September 2023, respectively.
Alamo Community College District
Summary of changes: Jobs; training; other DEI-related activities Details: The Alamo Colleges District reassigned one employee; adopted some new policies; and made changes to training related to hiring and for managers. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Central Texas College
Summary of changes: Jobs Details: Central Texas College removed a “DEI officer assignment” from an existing role. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Collin College
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: Collin College renamed and changed the focus of its Collin Culture Council. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Dallas College
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; other DEI-related activities Details: Dallas College eliminated its DEI office; reassigned employees from the office to other departments; and updated any multicultural programs to be “open to everyone.” Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Del Mar College
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: Del Mar College updated polices, statements, and procedures that referred to “affirmative action.” Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
El Paso Community College
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; other DEI-related activities Details: The El Paso Community College District eliminated its Diversity Programs Office; reassigned employees from the office to other departments in the college; and updated various programs and policies. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Grayson College
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: Grayson College eliminated its equity statement. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Lamar University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training Details: Lamar University eliminated its Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations and created a Division of Strategic Initiatives and Community Relations; reassigned a “small number” of employees to other positions in the university; and eliminated a third-party training module that was previously required for human-resources employees. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Lone Star College system
Summary of changes: Offices; training Details: The Lone Star College system renamed its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Office of Culture and Engagement and eliminated mandatory diversity training. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Midwestern State University
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Midwestern State University renamed its Mosaic Cross Cultural Center to the Mosaic Center for Community and Belonging and changed the center’s focus in the fall of 2023 from providing services to underrepresented and first-generation students to “all students.” Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Ranger College
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Ranger College eliminated its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion department. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Rice University
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Rice University renamed its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence. Source: Rice Thresher
Sam Houston State University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices Details: Sam Houston State University eliminated its Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs; created an Office of Community and Civic Responsibility; and moved one employee to another position. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
San Jacinto College
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices Details: San Jacinto College’s central campus eliminated its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and moved the office’s employees to other positions at the college. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Southern Methodist University
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Southern Methodist University renamed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion to the Office of Cultural Intelligence;changed the titles of several diversity staff to include “cultural intelligence,” and temporarily froze a diversity-course requirement. Source: Daily Campus; Dallas Morning News
Stephen F. Austin State University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices Details: Stephen F. Austin State University eliminated its Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; created a Division of Student Development and Access Services to house its disability services, veterans-resource center, and peer-mentor programs; and reassigned its chief diversity officer to serve as a special adviser to the president. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Sul Ross State University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices Details: Sul Ross State University eliminated its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; created an Office of Multicultural Affairs; and reassigned one employee to another position. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Texas A&M University at College Station
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training; other DEI-related activities Details: Texas A&M University at College Station eliminated its Office for Diversity, which served all of the system’s campuses, and its LGBTQ+ Pride Center; created a Student Life Center that will continue some Pride Center programs that are open to all students; transferred employees to other positions; updated some hiring practices; changed some required training; and did not allow affiliates of the business school to attend the PhD Project, a network and mentorship program for minority students seeking doctoral degrees in business. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed
Texas A&M University system (11 campuses)
Summary of changes: Diversity statements; training; other DEI-related activities Details: Texas A&M University’s systemwide guidance banned diversity statements; eliminated mandatory training related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation unless otherwise necessary to comply with legal guidelines; and required colleges to adapt programs to be open to everyone. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Texas Christian University
Summary of changes: Websites and statements; offices Details: Texas Christian University deleted multiple references to diversity, equity, and inclusion on its webpages and eliminated its Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Texas Southern University
Summary of changes: Unspecified Details: Texas Southern University made changes but did not specify them. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Texas State University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training; other DEI-related activities Details: Texas State University eliminated its Division of Inclusive Excellence; created the Office of Student Involvement and Engagement; moved a “small number” of employees to other positions at the university; and eliminated mandatory DEI training for new students and employees. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Texas Tech University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; other DEI-related activities Details: Texas Tech University eliminated its Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; renamed its Black Cultural Center to the Student Enrichment Center; created a Campus Access & Engagement Office to “house other programs” for faculty, staff, and students; moved some programs from the eliminated office into other divisions like Enrollment Management, Student Life, and Academic Innovation and Student Success; transitioned employees to other positions at the university; and disaffiliated from the PhD Project, a network and mentorship program for minority students seeking doctoral degrees in business. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, KJTV, Inside Higher Ed
Texas Woman’s University
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training; other DEI-related activities Details: Texas Woman’s University closed its Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach; created the Center for Belonging and First-Generation Students; moved two employees to other positions; eliminated DEI modules for employee training; paused the activities of the Chancellor’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council; and modified language on digital platforms and print publications. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Trinity University
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Trinity University renamed its Student Diversity and Inclusion Office to the Student Inclusion and Belonging Office. Source: Trintonian
University of Houston
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Houston eliminated its Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and its LGBTQ Resource Center; created a Center for Student Advocacy and Community; moved five employees to other positions; and eliminated more than 40 DEI-related programs within identity-based hubs, Student Housing and Residential Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and University Career Services. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
University of Houston-Downtown
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Houston-Downtown eliminated its Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion; created a Center for Student Advocacy and Community; transitioned employees to other positions; eliminated training on topics like inclusive language, microaggressions, and “Trans 101" for its leader certificate program; and reorganized services for pregnant and working students, student organizations, and a mentoring program under the new office. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
University of Houston system (four campuses)
Summary of changes: Jobs; diversity statements; training; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Houston’s systemwide guidance banned assigning or hiring employees for DEI practices; prohibited identity consideration in hiring; required colleges to ensure that any multicultural events or organizations targeted for a specific identity be open to everyone; and withdrew from a conference hosted by the PhD Project, a network and mentorship program for minority students seeking doctoral degrees in business. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, Texas Tribune
University of North Texas
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; training; activities Details: The University of North Texas eliminated its Division of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access; created the Center for Belonging and Engagement; moved eight employees to other positions at the university; discontinued DEI-focused councils, events, programs, and statements in departments, schools, and offices across the university; eliminated three faculty committees focused on issues affecting women, people of color, or LGBTQ people; disbanded networking groups for new faculty, Christians, Asian Pacific Islanders, Black employees, and employees who are from other countries; eliminated the Program for Counseling Diverse Students; eliminated a seminar on diversity in the workplace in the business school; eliminated a DEI conference, the Social Justice Speaker Series, and the Social Justice Scholars program within the College of Education; eliminated two giving funds within University Advancement; discontinued Library Pride Week; eliminated the “inclusive curriculum” within the Office of the Provost’s Student Success division; and disaffiliated from the PhD Project, a network and mentorship program for minority students seeking doctoral degrees in business. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Dallas Morning News, North Texas Daily, Inside Higher Ed
University of Texas at Austin
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; diversity statements; training; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Texas at Austin changed the name of its Office for Institutional Equity to the Center for Access and Restorative Engagement; eliminated its Multicultural Engagement Center and Gender and Sexuality Center; created the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and the Women’s Community Center, but then closed them in April; fired at least 49 employees with DEI-related roles; changed its Fearless Leadership Institute to be open to women of all ethnicities; eliminated funding and removed online and physical resources for registered student organizations, including identity-based student groups; required certain student organizations and faculty groups to conduct activities off campus and on their personal time; eliminated multicultural graduation ceremonies and welcome programs for underrepresented groups; and eliminated a scholarship program for undocumented students. The university’s school of business terminated a 40-year partnership with the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, an organization that promoted minority representation in graduate business-education programs. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, Austin American-Statesman, Poets and Quants
University of Texas at Dallas
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices Details: The University of Texas at Dallas closed its Office of Campus Resources and Support in April and eliminated 20 DEI-related jobs. Source: Austin American-Statesmen
University of Texas at San Antonio
Summary of changes: Jobs; offices; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Texas at San Antonio eliminated its Office of Inclusive Excellence; halted plans to create an Office of Campus and Community Belonging; dispersed disability, campus-climate, and community-engagement services across other divisions; transitioned employees through “voluntary changes in staffing” and reassignment; and eliminated 10 percent of more than 300 DEI-related programs. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, University of Texas at San Antonio statement
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Summary of changes: Unspecified Details: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center made changes but did not specify them. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
University of Texas system (13 campuses)
Summary of changes: Diversity statements; training; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Texas’ systemwide guidance banned diversity statements; prohibited mandatory training related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation unless otherwise necessary to comply with legal guidelines; required colleges to adapt programs to be open to everyone; and withdrew from the PhD Project, a network and mentorship program for minority students seeking doctoral degrees in business. Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed
Utah
In 2024, Gov. Spencer J. Cox, a Republican, signed House Bill 261 into law, banning DEI offices, mandatory DEI training, the use of diversity statements, and identity-based preferences at public colleges. The law took effect on July 1, 2024.
Salt Lake Community College
Summary of changes: Offices; jobs Details: Salt Lake Community College eliminated its Office for Institutional Equity, Inclusion, and Transformation and its Office of Multicultural Affairs, and reassigned most staff members to a new Office of Student Engagement, Experience, and Achievement. The college retained its Dream Center for undocumented students. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune
Snow College
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Snow College eliminated its Diversity and Inclusion Office and took down the website for its Multi-Cultural Center. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune
Southern Utah University
Summary of changes: Offices; jobs Details: Southern Utah University eliminated its Center for Diversity and Inclusion and its Q Center for LGBTQ+ students, and moved staff members and resources to the existing Office of Student Outreach and Support. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, Southern Utah University
University of Utah
Summary of changes: Diversity statements; offices; jobs; other DEI-related activities Details: The University of Utah eliminated the use of “diversity questions or statements” in its hiring processes; closed its Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; closed its Black Cultural Center, Women’s Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, and Center for Equity and Student Belonging; shifted some staffing and resources to a new Community and Cultural Engagement Center; and opened up identity-based clubs and programs to all groups. The university retained its Dream Center for undocumented students and its American Indian Resource Center, which it renamed the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement. Two student clubs disaffiliated from the university because of anti-DEI restrictions. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, The Salt Lake Tribune; University of Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah State University
Summary of changes: Offices; jobs Details: Utah State University eliminated its Inclusion Center and moved its staff and resources to other departments, including a new division called Academic Belonging and Learning Excellence. The university retained its Latinx Cultural Center and its Native American Cultural Center. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah State University
Utah Tech University
Summary of changes: Offices; jobs Details: Utah Tech University eliminated its Center for Inclusion and Belonging and its LGBTQ+ Resource Center; moved identity-based coordinators to different roles in a new Office of Student Engagement and Leadership and an existing Student Resource Center; and reassigned the chief diversity officer to “other administrative responsibilities on campus.” Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Tech University
Utah Valley University
Summary of changes: Offices; jobs Details: Utah Valley University renamed its Office of Inclusion and Diversity to the Office of Institutional Engagement and Effectiveness and restructured its “culture and talent team.” The university initially retained several identity-based offices, including Multicultural Student Services, LGBTQ+ Student Services, Native American Initiative, and Women’s Success Center, and consolidated them into a Center for Intercultural Engagement. Later, the university closed the Center for Intercultural Engagement. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Valley University, KSL
Weber State University
Summary of changes: Diversity statements; jobs; offices; training; other DEI-related activities Details: Weber State University eliminated all eight “identity-based centers"; eliminated its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division; realigned all staff positions under its Division of Student Access and Success, and “reimagined” its position descriptions to “remove any prohibited discriminatory practices"; modified titles of student-government positions and eliminated “affinity-based senator positions"; eliminated diversity statements; and eliminated any mandatory training events that “promote discriminatory practices.” The university retained its center for military-affiliated students and families and its center for students with disabilities. Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, Weber State University
Vermont
No legislation has been proposed.
The University of Vermont
Summary of changes: Offices Details: The University of Vermont changed its Office of Equity, Belonging, and Student Engagement to the Office of the Advancement of Our Common Ground. The university also removed references to equity, diversity, and students of color from its websites. Source: The Vermont Cynic
Virginia
No legislation has been proposed.
College of William & Mary
Summary of changes: Offices; jobs Details: The College of William & Mary changed the title of its chief diversity officer to senior advisor to the president, and changed the name of its Center for Student Diversity to the Student Center for Inclusive Excellence. Source: The Flat Hat
George Mason University
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: George Mason University killed an effort to mandate diversity-focused classes after the state’s Republican governor reviewed DEI courses at the university; renamed its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community; changed the title of its chief diversity officer to the vice president for access, compliance, and community; took down a webpage for its Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence task force; and closed its Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation. The university’s law school removed webpages related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Source: Inside Higher Ed, The Chronicle of Higher Education, ARLNow, Washington Examiner
James Madison University
Summary of changes: Websites and statements; offices; jobs Details: James Madison University removed references to diversity on its Inclusion at JMU website; deleted webpages dedicated to DEI resources and heritage and cultural events; closed its diversity, equity, and inclusion division; and eliminated four positions. Source: JMU.edu, Northern Virginia Daily
Old Dominion University
Summary of changes: Websites and statements Details: Old Dominion University renamed a webpage titled “Institutional Equity & Diversity " to “Talent Management and Culture.” Source: Virginia Mercury
University of Virginia
Summary of changes: Offices Details: The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors voted to close the university’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Source: The Washington Post
Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary of changes: Offices; Other DEI-related activities Details: Virginia Commonwealth University terminated an effort to mandate diversity-focused classes after the state’s Republican governor reviewed DEI courses at the university; and closed its Division of Inclusive Excellence. Source: WVEC, ABC 8 News
Virginia Community College System
Summary of changes: Other DEI-related activities Details: The board overseeing Virginia’s Community College System required all 23 of its colleges to end DEI practices and initiatives in admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, and graduation ceremonies. Source: WTOP
Virginia Tech
Summary of changes: Offices Details: Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors voted to dissolve the university’s Office of Inclusive Strategy and Excellence. Source: Cardinal News
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