University of Arkansas seeks to dissolve DEI division, chancellor reveals

The University of Arkansas aims to dissolve its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) division, Chancellor Charles Robinson announced in an email on Tuesday.

Robinson wrote that starting in fall 2023, existing resources and personnel assigned to the division of DEI will shift into the Student Success, Student Affairs, Human Resources, and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance and University Advancement. The purpose behind the move, Robinson explains, is so that "these areas can expand programs around access, opportunity and developing a culture of belonging for all students and employees."

Furthermore, the Office of Equal Opportunity & Compliance will be combined with Human Resources. "The strategic planning process has affirmed that supporting equal opportunity, access, and belonging are critical to our land-grant mission and university values. It is my belief based on my experience as having served as Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Provost – and now as Chancellor – that we can accomplish better outcomes by reallocating resources into these essential areas," Robinson said.