University of Alabama system schools to replace DEI offices with access, opportunity offices

A high angle view of University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with a view of Denny Chimes and Woods Quad near Bryant-Denny Stadium. (Jeremy Poland/Getty Images)

The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Alabama in Huntsville said Tuesday they planned to eliminate their DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) offices while launching new offices that seem to aim to address similar goals.

The changes come after the Alabama Legislature last spring approved a bill that limited the use of public funds for DEI offices.

SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, limited the use of public funds for DEI and limited the ability of public employees to discuss so-called “divisive concepts.” A person violating the act could face discipline or lose their job.

The bill was amended several times throughout the legislative session. After the bill received final approval from both chambers, Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, said the bill could have ongoing impact for higher education and business.

The University of Alabama and Auburn University are, constitutionally, under the control of their own boards which raised questions about the extent to which the Legislature’s will could be extended.

The University of Alabama also cited the Supreme Court ruling that overturned race-conscious admissions among the reasons for the changes. The schools had shut down the websites for their DEI offices as of Tuesday afternoon.

The University of Alabama said that it would launch the Division of Opportunities, Success and Connection which “ furthers the University’s efforts to promote success for everyone in the UA community, including those who may face educational access and achievement challenges,” a statement about its launch.

The DEI office’s goal was to “ establish a holistic and integrated vision that fosters a welcoming and supportive environment for students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community at large—regardless of cultural differences, beliefs, values, ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, gender identity, or religion,” according a Wayback machine archived version of the site fro m May.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham said it would create the Office of Access and Engagement, which “ will address barriers associated with higher education access, recruitment, retention and success through outreach and engagement, leadership and co-curricular activities, service learning and academic success programs,” according to a statement.

Their DEI office had aimed to “ actively promote and recognize principles of fairness and equity, in relation to, and across, intersections of race, age, color, disability, faith, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, social class, economic class, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, and all other identities represented among our diverse communities,” according to the Wayback machine capture from May.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville launched the Office of Access, Connections and Engagement which is “ committed to providing the adequate resources designed to support students from all backgrounds by leading and contributing to initiatives that prioritize access and opportunity through targeted outreach and support services.” Their DEI office was “ committed to improving social and cultural awareness and encouraging self-understanding through education, training, and engagement with others,” according to a March capture.

Alex House, a spokesperson for the University of Alabama, and Alicia Rohan, a spokesperson for UAB, wrote in on Tuesday emails that the new offices were for the benefit of all students and were in compliance with all laws. House wrote that no UA employees would be terminated as a result of the change but their jobs would be adjusted.

UAH spokesperson Kristina L. Hendrix wrote that the new office will increase access to higher education and equip all students with success.

“The Office of Access, Connections, and Engagement is new to UAH and will accelerate UAH’s priority of recruiting and retaining students of all backgrounds and helping them achieve success in a welcoming and supportive environment,” she wrote. “This office has a new function and mission to broadly serve all students with enhanced recruitment and retention strategies through new initiatives to support all students throughout their collegiate life and help them achieve their goals – Choose UAH, UAH Today, and Success After UAH.”

JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist, the executive director of the ACLU of Alabama, said in a Tuesday afternoon statement that they were disappointed to learn that the system was closing its DEI offices.

“The university’s decision is inconsistent with the desires of their student body as UA students were among the most vocal leading opposition to SB129,” she wrote. “We will continue to collaborate with our partners in Tuscaloosa and across the state to determine how we can best support students and educators.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, the DEI office page for Auburn was still live, and a message was left with a spokesperson asking if any changes were planned. A message was also left with a spokesperson for Gov. Kay Ivey asking if SB 129 would have an impact on the Office of Minority Affairs.

The NCAA requires DEI reviews every four years for Division I schools and conferences.

“An active member institution shall complete an equity, diversity and inclusion review at least once every four years and provide written confirmation of completion to the national office,” read the bylines. “Failure to complete an equity, diversity and inclusion review at least once every four years shall subject an institution to a penalty pursuant to a penalty structure and timeline maintained by the Strategic Vision and Planning Committee.”

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This story was updated at 4:04 p.m. with information from University of Alabama and UAB. This story was updated at 4:14 p.m. with information from UAH. This story was updated at 5:24 p.m. with a statement from the ACLU of Alabama.

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