Local colleges react to University of Kentucky disbanding diversity office

MARTIN, Tenn. — As the University of Kentucky closes its Office of Institutional Diversity, local colleges reflect on how diversity resources help students. 

Their reactions come after several other colleges and universities across the country are discussing cutting DEI programs.

According to the university's website the University of Kentucky announced Tuesday that the office would close, as well as make several other changes — it will eliminate mandatory diversity training, it will not place required diversity statements in hiring and application processes, websites will be free of political positions to ensure impartiality, and the institution will be impartial on current events. 

In February, UK President Eli Capilouto spoke out against Senate Bill 6, which states that students and faculty cannot be penalized for refusing to support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The bill would have also required institutes of higher learning to publish course descriptions, textbooks and other course information online. To read more about Senate Bill 6, click here. 

In reference to the bill, Capilouto said, "The truth is that our world and our state are changing. We are growing more diverse. Indeed, we must, if our state is to grow economically. We should embrace that change and harness the opportunities it presents, not shrink from it."

Months later, in August, Capilouto announced the closure of the diversity office, and said the elimination would allow the university to be "impartial facilitators as an institution of broad perspectives," as he wrote in a campus-wide email. 

Capilouto issued a video statement about the change, and said he had discussed the matter with many members of the campus who had raised similar concerns to those of state lawmakers. 

"How do we create space for divergent points of view, or do we too often place ourselves in an ideological bubble that shuts out other perspectives? In creating the perception that we have centralized so much of our work around inclusion in one office — do we undermine the idea that creating a sense of belonging is a responsibility we all share," said Capilouto.

Various programs and centers relating to diversity will relocate to other areas on campus. Some of those include the MLK Center; the university's public radio station, WUKY; the university's lifelong learning programs; and the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives.

Additionally, the university will create an Office for Community Relations. 

The university hopes the changes will increase conversation and encourage diversity.

"Let me be clear," Capilouto said, "Our commitment to inclusion is strong. This is not an effort to reduce employees or to take a job with DEI in its title and hide it in a smaller, less visible unit on campus. Rather, this is an effort to make clear that our priorities are steadfast. We're committed to being an institution that invites all perspectives and ensures the work we do to support students, employees, patients and others is for everyone."

The University of Tennessee at Martin reacted to the University of Kentucky's decision. Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement Mark McCloud said the most important thing is that students can get the help they need. 

"We're developing a workforce, you know, for the state of Tennessee and really, for the world. And, so, as students come into college, some students need additional support to be productive citizens and make the transition from academia to the world of work," said McCloud.

McCloud spoke about UTM's Access and Engagement Office which helps students like transfers, first-generation, those with disabilities and minority students. UTM doesn't have mandatory diversity training, but McCloud said the college still encourages everyone to learn more about others.

"I think what we do is try to create opportunities for people to engage in discourse and to celebrate difference and to learn to appreciate difference and so I think as long as you're sitting down having those conversations and learning and growing and becoming a better citizen, I think that's going to be the most important thing," said McCloud. 

McCloud hopes that UK will speak with others on the University of Kentucky campus and take in feedback as they begin to make these changes. 

"My thing is that students need to get service. Right? They need support and how that looks — it might be different in Kentucky or Tennessee or Mississippi, but you know, for us, it's about students getting access to what they need and engaging in the college environment and being successful," said McCloud. 

Murray State University also responded, reflecting on the benefits of its own Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access.

MSU's statement is as follows: "Murray State University has had an Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) for many years. Pursuant to state and federal laws, this office is focused on equal opportunity including Title (9) and operates in a compliance function for complaints, investigations, and training regarding illegal discrimination and illegal harassment consistent with the University's nondiscrimination statement. This office has a responsibility for remaining impartial and therefore holds no advocacy role."