West Virginia University has decided to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, joining a growing number of educational institutions reevaluating such programs. This shift follows calls from state and federal officials who claim that DEI initiatives may promote reverse discrimination.
As of Monday, the DEI page on the university’s website was still operational, featuring events such as the “Tunnel of Awareness,” designed to promote social justice, and an implicit bias test. However, the university has announced that it will transition to a new office focused on ADA compliance and Title IX, titled the Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance.
This decision aligns with an executive order from Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey, which deems DEI practices in conflict with both the West Virginia and U.S. Constitutions. The order states that no state-funded entity should allocate resources toward DEI roles or activities. Governor Morrisey believes that the push for DEI is akin to a “woke virus” that needs addressing, reinforcing the idea of equality under the law for all individuals, regardless of their race or background.
Governor Morrisey expressed gratitude to WVU for taking this important step, emphasizing the need to resist public pressures that often lead to misguided policies. April Kaull, the university’s communications director, clarified that the new division is not merely a rebranding but a focused effort to meet the state’s legal guidelines and support the campus community.
Other institutions, including the University of Michigan, have also moved away from DEI frameworks recently, opting to stop requesting diversity statements during faculty hiring processes. The University of Austin in Texas plans to eliminate all DEI-related initiatives, focusing instead on promoting free speech and merit-based admissions.
Several other states, like Alabama and Iowa, have implemented bans or restrictions on DEI programs in higher education. Meanwhile, some colleges, such as Northeastern University, are trying to redefine their DEI strategies under different names, aiming to maintain a sense of inclusivity while conforming to new state directives.
In contrast, officials at some institutions have expressed their desire to uphold the principles of diversity, arguing that the view of a multiracial democracy should still be valued, despite the changing landscape of higher education policies.
