About 200 students at the University of Texas at Austin disrupted a virtual faculty council meeting this week to voice their opposition to the school’s recent decision to lay off nearly 60 employees in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles. When university president Jay Hartzell and officials logged on, they were met with a sea of students displaying the message “No DEI = Not Our Texas” in protest.
The layoffs came earlier this month as UT Austin moved to comply with Senate Bill 17, a new Texas law effectively banning DEI efforts at public colleges. Hartzell announced the closure of the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and confirmed 57 employees in DEI positions were let go, with eight others reassigned to teaching roles.
“We wanted to show them that we want transparency, we want communication from him, we want his support,” said Christian Mira from the campus Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color Agency. Students accuse Hartzell of lack of clarity around the changes.
Critics like Mexican American and Latina/o Studies chair Karma Chávez said the layoffs blindsided and angered many, largely impacting Black, brown, queer and trans staff who provided vital resources to underrepresented students. Programs axed include those supporting undocumented, multicultural and women students.
Faculty, students and advocacy groups have swiftly condemned the cuts. The university’s AAUP chapter demanded reversing the “discriminatory” firings that violate free expression. The Texas NAACP sought transparency, while the Legislative Black Caucus criticized the decision.
As campus morale plummets, protesters insist Hartzell be held accountable, with graduate student Zion James saying, “We don’t know what to do…or how to move forward.” Students who relied on the now-defunct support services feel adrift.
The conflict exemplifies the tensions arising from Texas’ new restrictions on DEI initiatives in public higher education.
Texas is among five states that have recently passed legislation targeting DEI programs. At least 20 others are considering it.
This report has information from NBC News