Kentucky's universities find themselves at a crossroads following a legislative session that saw lawmakers attempt to impede or dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts within public higher education.
Legislators are expected to continue their counter on DEI initiatives in the next session. And while some universities continue to stand by their programs, the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University have preemptively dissolved their DEI offices.
Bills aimed at undermining DEI in higher education have risen in popularity among Republican lawmakers in states across the U.S. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education's DEI Legislation Tracker , 86 anti-DEI bills have been filed nationwide since 2023 — 14 of which are now law.
Two such bills were introduced in the Kentucky state legislature in 2024, though neither became law .
An interim legislative committee has continued discussions of DEI measures on campus ahead of the 2025 General Assembly, with representatives from the University of Louisville, UK and other schools scheduled to speak before the group Tuesday.
Why UK and NKU disbanded their DEI offices
On Aug. 20, UK President Eli Capilouto announced the university's Office of Institutional Diversity, a department focused on DEI policies, would be disbanded.
In the announcement, Capilouto noted the university's commitment to creating a sense of belonging, respect and academic freedom for the campus community.
"But we’ve also listened to policymakers and heard many of their questions about whether we appear partisan or political on the issues of our day and, as a result, narrowly interpret things solely through the lens of identity," Capilouto wrote. "In so doing, the concern is that we either intentionally or unintentionally limit discourse."
UK delegated responsibilities previously under the Office of Institutional Diversity to "other offices that support the entire institution" and created the Office for Community Relations to aid in the restructuring process.
NKU President Cady Short-Thompson made a similar announcement Aug. 29 following the resignation of the university's Chief Diversity Officer, Darryl Peal. The university eliminated its Office of Inclusive Excellence , which oversaw DEI practices at NKU.
"The circumstances under which universities across the Commonwealth and the country find themselves, coupled with the legislative priorities of state leaders for the upcoming session, require universities to change," Short-Thompson wrote in an email to students, faculty and staff.
In a follow-up email on Sept. 3, Short-Thompson clarified that the Center For Student Inclusiveness , which provides students with "co-curricular scholarship opportunities" and falls under NKU's division of Student Affairs, will continue. She added that recruitment of international students will not be impacted by the decision and that faculty search committees will now undergo training from human resources staff rather than the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
Both Capilouto and Short-Thompson cited Kentucky lawmakers' aim to revisit DEI issues in 2025 as a reason for dissolving their respective DEI offices.
"Kentucky legislators have made clear to me in our conversations that they are exploring these issues again as they prepare for the 2025 legislative session," Capilouto wrote.
Where U of L, other public universities stand
U of L President Kim Schatzel is slated to testify on DEI to the General Assembly's Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday. In the meantime, the university's Office of Institutional Equity — previously named the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — is active, U of L spokesperson Amanda Carroll said in a statement.
“The Office of Institutional Equity remains open and serves all U of L students as they progress and complete their degrees. The success of all our students is U of L’s highest priority,” Carroll said.
In an opinion piece recently published in The Courier Journal , U of L Board of Trustees Chair Diane Medley credited several institutional accomplishments to the efforts of the Office of Institutional Equity, including recognitions for the university's work with first-generation and military-connected students.
Modern employers view a diverse workforce as a catalyst to innovation, she argued, and U of L and its programs are key to developing future generations of workers.
"This dynamic tapestry of perspectives and voices helps our Cardinal community fuel positive change," Medley wrote.
Murray State University, meanwhile, has an Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access whose function is to field complaints and lead investigations and trainings regarding illegal discrimination and harassment, the Murray State Office of Branding, Marketing and Communication said in a statement.
"This office has a responsibility for remaining impartial and therefore holds no advocacy role," Murray State officials said. "We are required to have a Title IX coordinator and office, as is the case with other universities which receive federal funding."
Not all Kentucky universities have offices dedicated to DEI initiatives, however, including Western Kentucky University.
In a statement to The Courier Journal, WKU spokesperson Jace Lux said the university's focus is "not on programs, initiatives or activities but rather about fostering a sense of belonging so that every individual who comes to our campus to study, teach, live, compete or visit finds their place and recognizes that they are an integral part of our community."
"WKU is committed to a safe and welcoming campus with top-ranked faculty and staff, ethical and transparent policies and a thriving, diverse student body prepared for success as global citizens," Lux continued, adding the university will monitor legislative actions that would impact higher education in the 2025 session.
Eastern Kentucky University also doesn't have an office dedicated to DEI initiatives, according to the school's media relations team.
"We offer services and resources designed to meet all students where they are so they can reach their full potential," EKU officials said in a statement.
Private colleges not swayed by public discourse
Louisville's private colleges are resoundingly standing behind their DEI efforts despite DEI's uncertain future in the public higher education landscape.
Bellarmine University's strategic plan seeks to diversify its student population to become representative of the broader region and to create community support systems so that "all students can benefit from a Bellarmine education," spokesperson Jason Cissell said in a statement.
"We operate programs and offer student organizations to make all members of our student body feel welcome on campus, including an Office of Identity and Inclusion," Cissell said. "We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging for everyone in our community and educating our students to lead in a diverse and changing world."
As a private university, Bellarmine would not have been bound to rules in 2024's proposed anti-DEI legislation, which focused on public institutions that are reliant on government dollars to operate. The same goes for Spalding University, whose officials say it's staunchly committed to DEI initiatives.
"As a private institution, our values are grounded in fostering an inclusive community that welcomes learners from all backgrounds. We are a community of learners made up of veterans, religious leaders, LGBTQIA community members, and more," Spalding spokesperson Maggie Edwards said in a statement.
"Our faculty, staff and educational leaders at the institution are committed to continuously fostering DEI efforts and initiatives to ensure every student feels they have a voice and place of belonging in the Spalding community. This commitment will endure for as long as Spalding University stands," Edwards continued.
DEI principles have also been core to the mission of Simmons College of Kentucky, a private historically Black college, since its inception, said Rick W. Smith Sr., senior vice president of institutional advancement and administrative projects.
"Our commitment to these principles is deeply ingrained in our history and remains essential to the progress we strive to achieve for our students, faculty, and the broader community," he said in a statement.
"While we are aware of the legislative challenges and recent developments regarding DEI initiatives at other institutions, Simmons remains steadfast in its dedication to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning environment," Smith Sr. added. "We believe that DEI efforts are crucial to preparing students for leadership in an increasingly complex and interconnected world."
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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Two Kentucky universities have closed their DEI offices. Here's where other schools stand
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