The University of Memphis announced Friday that it will shut down its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, including the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
According to an email obtained by The Daily Helmsman, the university said that it is shutting down the office to comply with Tennessee's new 'Dismantling DEI Departments Act'. The email says the legislature requires “restructuring and, in some cases, eliminating selected units, nonacademic programs and services that are explicitly focused on DEI.”
The email also stated the university is removing references to DEI on their website and are making adjustments to scholarship programs that include DEI-based criteria, including donor-supported campaigns.
The law, which was signed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in May, prohibits government agencies and public institutions from creating departments that work to boost diversity, equity, and inclusion. It voids “all mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders or other declarations” established by such entities.
`"While the University of Memphis does not operate in a way that discriminates against students, faculty, staff or our overall community, the parameters of the Tennessee law requires us to reevaluate our operations to ensure that we remain in compliance with how we support students, nonacademic programs and some academic support programs," said University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave in a statement. "We understand that these actions may raise questions and concerns, and the administration remains committed to supporting our employees and students as we address these challenges."
The website for the UofM Multicultural Affairs Office was shut down at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday and now returns an error message.
“It’s very heartbreaking to say the least, I feel like this office is very important at the UofM," said Karl Sanders Jr., a junior at the University of Memphis. "Students like myself come in here, find out clubs, organizations, friends, and go through the college experience."
The multicultural affairs office supports student organizations such as the Black Student Association, Stonewall Tigers and the Asian Student Association. This is a developing story and coverage will continue.
Mel Eleftheriou is a reporter for The Daily Helmsman. They can be reached at mlfthrou@memphis.edu.
