Auburn University has announced that it will dissolve its Office of Inclusion and Diversity by August 15, 2024, a move that reflects a broader trend among state colleges in response to recent legislative changes. This decision makes Auburn the fifth state institution to close its diversity office following Governor Kay Ivey’s recent law banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and the teaching of certain “divisive concepts.”
The university’s provost, Vini Nathan, along with Senior Vice Presidents Kelli Shomakeer and Bobby Woodard, communicated the decision in a letter addressed to students and staff. The letter emphasized the university’s commitment to respecting affected colleagues and ensuring a smooth transition. Staff members from the dissolved office will be reassigned to other roles within the university, including positions in student recruitment, admissions, and student success. Depending on their new roles, they will report to the Office of Enrollment Management, the Division of Student Affairs, or the Office of the Provost.
The Office of Inclusion and Diversity, established in 2016 based on recommendations from students and staff, aimed to enhance the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups on campus. The office was responsible for a range of educational and cultural programs, contributing to Auburn’s reported $5.6 million expenditure on DEI efforts in 2022. This amount included $1.8 million allocated specifically to the diversity office, which employed 14 full-time staff members and three part-time graduate assistants.
Despite the dissolution of the office, Auburn University reported significant achievements under its DEI initiatives, including a 43% increase in underrepresented graduate school applicants and substantial financial support for student groups and charitable causes. The university’s 2023 Inclusion Report highlighted these successes, showcasing the department’s impact on diversifying the student body and supporting various student organizations.
In light of the closure, it remains uncertain which, if any, of the office’s services will continue post-August 15. Auburn officials stated that they have been collaborating with various stakeholders to develop recommendations that align with the new legal framework while advancing the university’s mission.
Other institutions within the University of Alabama System, which have recently made similar announcements, are also working to establish new offices aimed at achieving similar objectives.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login