More Universities Are Finding Key Loophole To Skirt State Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Bans

Universities are turning to rebranding to preserve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs despite laws barring them, according to The New York Times.

A dozen states have passed laws barring public universities from using taxpayer funding for DEI programs, including Idaho, Indiana, Texas and more recently, Florida, according to the Times. In response, many schools have done away with the programs entirely, but others have taken to rebranding the departments to circumvent efforts to ban DEI on campus.

The University of Tennessee announced in November that it would be renaming its DEI office as the “Division of Access and Engagement,” according to The Daily Beacon, a student newspaper. The university did not point to state laws on DEI as a reason for the change in a statement to the Daily Beacon but Guy Harrison, director of DEI for the School of Journalism and Media, said that the move was to prevent the full blacklisting of DEI.