Texas Tech chancellor says 'West Texas magic' mitigates loss of DEI programs

AUSTIN — As public universities across Texas work to comply with the Senate Bill 17 ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which passed in the recent legislative session and becomes effective Jan. 1, the Texas Tech University System chancellor does not seem worried the changes will negatively affect the system or its stakeholders.

Speaking in a panel with other Texas chancellors at The Texas Tribune Festival Sept. 22, Dr. Tedd Mitchell said "West Texas magic" should help fill the gaps left behind by the dissolution of diversity programs across the Tech System.

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The panel, which included Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp and University of Houston System Chancellor Renu Khator and was moderated by The Texas Tribune's higher education reporter Kate McGee, focused on higher ed. issues raised during the 88th Texas Legislature, including DEI, faculty tenure, the Texas University Fund and other topics.

SB 17 eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion offices and initiatives for publicly funded higher education institutions in Texas, which Republican lawmakers say are divisive and squash free speech. They also say DEI programs force institutions to base faculty hiring on diversity over qualification.

Opponents of the law say DEI programs are needed to help minority students, faculty and staff feel welcome, included and supported.

The law does not apply to academic course instruction, research, student organizations, student recruitment or admissions.

During the panel, McGee asked Mitchell how the Texas Tech System is working to balance the new SB 17 restrictions while still making sure all students feel welcome.

"I have found that the West Texas magic is pretty cool. There's a welcoming environment in West Texas that is really hard to beat," Mitchell replied. "At the end of the day, on an individual basis, you're dealing with other human beings."

"Our charge is to develop young men and women. That happens whether you have DEI or not," Mitchell continued.

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Mitchell had similar feelings about faculty recruitment and retention, noting a welcoming environment is crucial for employee satisfaction.

"The Chronicle of Higher Education does an annual survey of great universities to work for, and three public universities in Texas made the honor roll this year. All three of them are in our system," Mitchell said. "You create an environment that people want to be in, and that's independent of anything related to DEI."

But Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of the University of Houston, acknowledged faculty recruitment has been more difficult since the SB 17 conversation began.

"We have to respect the anxiety or the dilemma that (faculty) face," Khator said. "It takes a lot of dialogue and a lot of communication without minimizing their fears and anxiety."

Mitchell said he can understand the concerns of both diversity champions and legislators who want to see DEI programs scrapped.

"Our friends on the left say there are folks out there who feel marginalized, and if you're not doing something to support them, they will continue to feel marginalized. Our friends on the right say these offices of DEI oftentimes have taken on lives of their own and they're going beyond that mission," Mitchell said. "The fact of the matter is they both have points. So, we have to look internally at what it is that we're doing day in and day out to make sure that every child that comes under our care feels like they are in an environment that is welcoming and supportive for them."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech chancellor: 'West Texas magic' mitigates loss DEI programs