Mizzou removes DEI division to protect $700M state funding

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The state’s largest university says it is eliminating its division of diversity, equity, and inclusion to be proactive and protect the $700 million in fundraising it receives from lawmakers.

The move comes as the vice chancellor of the division will leave the school next month to take on a position at a historically Black college. Mizzou’s president says this is not because of pressure from the General Assembly; instead, he’s concerned about what’s coming down the pipe.

Last year, Mizzou did away with using diversity statements in its hiring process and stopped all race-based admissions and scholarships.

UM System President and Mizzou Chancellor Mun Choi says he plans to talk with chancellors at UMKC, Missouri S&T, and UMSL to ask them to consider a similar move, he hopes, by the end of the year.

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