The University of Texas at Austin has faced backlash for closing its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices, resulting in the firing of at least 66 staff members. Another Texas university also eliminated DEI positions due to state law. Critics argue that schools are circumventing the Texas DEI ban by reassigning DEI officials. Lawmakers, NAACP, and professors have condemned the mass layoffs, with Texas NAACP confirming the loss of jobs and programs. The public debate intensifies as the University of Texas Faculty Council and President Jay Hartzell defend the decisions amid student and advocate anger.
The firing of 49 UT Austin employees – many of whom were previously reassigned from DEI positions – was partly driven by a desire to reach conservative politicians who have lost trust in higher education, President Jay Hartzell said Monday. https://t.co/fbRq4GpLsA
UT DEI ban: Staff firings anger students in wake of state law - Houston Chronicle - https://t.co/LfxdDMDhcR #GoogleAlerts
UT Dallas lays off 20 staffers, closes office to comply with DEI ban https://t.co/OrqAjThoEA
Texas’ DEI ban at colleges, professors’ tenure and antisemitism on campuses are among the issues Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants reviewed ahead of next year’s legislative session. https://t.co/5QDZVwWoQm
UT-Austin has not said how many staff were let go, but advocates say at least 66 people were fired, 40 of whom formerly held DEI-related jobs. https://t.co/q26Af6qFH6
Texas’ diversity, equity and inclusion ban has led to more than 100 job cuts at state universities https://t.co/r3C0JcZayW
UT firings anger students, advocates as lawmakers call for increased enforcement of Texas DEI ban https://t.co/nuOhh1UYgf via @houstonchron
At UT-Austin and UT-Dallas, news of the firings has roiled students and advocates, who argue that administrators are overreacting to the law and weakening the schools’ ability to recruit talented faculty. https://t.co/fZQWq7YttD
Texas Holding Universities Accountable on DEI https://t.co/NqY6BrWeJs
DEI is parasitic. Once it embeds itself within a university or corporation, its only function is to produce justifications for expanding its influence and control. UT Austin saved million$ per year by firing their DEI staff, and their absence will only be felt in positive ways. https://t.co/sNFwGDJz8k
The Austin-American Statesman has confirmed that the University of Texas has fired 66 DEI administrators and permanently shuttered the DEI department. The "pink slip revolution" has begun.
BREAKING: The University of Texas Faculty Council has published a statement condemning the firing of 50+ DEI administrators. Too bad. The public is the ultimate authority over the public institutions—and Texas voters do not want left-wing racialism in their state universities. https://t.co/p5ZgRDK8PV
BREAKING: The University of Texas Faculty Council has published a statement condemning the firing of 50+ DEI administrators. Too bad. The public is the ultimate authority over. the public institutions—and Texas voters do not want left-wing racialism in their state universities. https://t.co/eHNIpYUrAd
'This was a breach of trust': TX NAACP confirms 66 former UT DEI jobs lost at UT April 2 - https://t.co/Kse5gJh2JV #GoogleAlerts
'Without warning': Local leaders confirm 66-plus UT staff laid off under DEI ban - https://t.co/ndZvdboFhc #GoogleAlerts
Legislators, NAACP, and Professors Condemn UT's Mass Layoffs - The Austin Chronicle - https://t.co/WOQDXHikoe #GoogleAlerts
Texas NAACP confirms 66 former UT DEI jobs, six programs lost - Austin American-Statesman - https://t.co/qzAzFtg374 #GoogleAlerts
University of Texas at Austin, Taking Heat for Closing DEI Offices https://t.co/mzzpGhRQUA
Another Texas university drops DEI office, ‘approximately 20 associated jobs eliminated’ due to state law https://t.co/u2Lc1czP8A
Many UT Austin students say they are devastated by the university’s decision to shutter the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and fire at least 66 staff members. https://t.co/44ssUzl8ZI
Critics warn schools are skirting Texas DEI ban after university shuffles DEI officials to other departments https://t.co/TuG1dSbFbu
Texas university takes heat for clearing DEI offices: 'The cruelty is stunning' https://t.co/ZFNszrqckh