University of Texas students protest state ban on university DEI policies, offices

While the University of Texas System regents met in a regularly scheduled closed session Thursday morning, a group of UT-Austin students stood in the hallway outside and chanted: “Ho, ho; hey, hey; diversity is here to stay."

The students — members of Texas Students for a Democratic Society and Texas Students for DEI — had come to the meeting to protest a recent state law that eliminates campus diversity, equity and inclusion offices in higher education.

“We think it’s really important to defend student rights,” said Jake Holtzman, a student with Students for a Democratic Society.

During the regents meeting, students stood in the back of the room, holding signs that said, “Stop attacks on diversity” and “Protect multi-cultural programs.”

Many students are concerned that this law could open the door to other limitations on diversity-related programming, Holtzman said, pointing to education debates in Florida.

“We see attacks that are trying to ban ethnic studies, trying to ban student groups,” Holtzman said. “It sets a dangerous precedent.”

The students came to Thursday’s meeting because the regents voted on changes to the university system’s policies meant to comply with Senate Bill 17, which prohibits universities from creating a DEI office. The law also prohibits Texas higher education institutions from requiring anyone to provide DEI statements or participate in DEI training.

As Texas universities prepare to comply with the new law, students and teachers across the state are raising alarms and asking college leadership to push back against efforts to dismantle diversity programs.

More: Texas GOP lawmakers are targeting DEI in colleges. Here's why some students are concerned.

At the end of the board’s meeting Thursday, system Chairman Kevin Eltife acknowledged the students.

“You’re not going unnoticed, and the way you’re handling yourself is admirable,” Eltife said.

The regents on Thursday approved amending the UT System’s rules to match the new law by stating that the system's institutions will comply and submit any state-mandated reports.

The language is also meant to comply with a June 29 U.S. Supreme Court decision prohibiting the use of a college applicant’s race as a factor in student admissions.

In February, the UT System regents paused any new DEI initiatives for system schools and started reviewing DEI policies.

Abbott signed SB 17 into law in June.

The law defines a DEI office as one that provides different treatment to people based on race, sex, color or ethnicity through any policies, procedures, training, programs or activities. Under the bill, college students or employees could sue their university for "injunctive or declaratory relief" if they are required to participate in any DEI training.

During the spring legislative session, DEI became a hotly contested topic. Some Republican lawmakers railed against DEI offices and initiatives, which they said are divisive and have a “chilling effect” on faculty and students.

Many Texas students and faculty members have pushed back against that characterization and instead insist that DEI offices help people of color feel more included on campuses.

Even though universities have to follow state law, student Ashley Awad wants to see university leadership acknowledge students’ concerns.

The university should be clearer about what programs or student groups will be affected by the law and which can operate as normal, said Awad, a member of Texas Students for DEI.

“The administration as a whole hasn’t said, ‘We oppose this,’” Awad said.

Florida also passed a ban on funding for DEI programs this year.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas students protest ban on university, college DEI policies