SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah has announced the revamp of student resources to comply with HB 261, lawmakers’ reaction to perceived excesses of “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” policies.
The changes do not involve firing of any staffers, the university said in its Thursday press release, but closes the Women’s Resource Center and LGBT Resource Center on campus.
The structural changes within the U’s Office of Student Affairs are meant to comply with the new law, which takes effect July 1.
Under HB 261 titled, “Equal Opportunity Initiatives,” student services must be available to all students and not provided to individual students based on “personal identity characteristics,” the university said.
In line with the new guidance from state lawmakers, the Utah Commissioner of Higher Education and the Utah Board of Higher Education, according to the release, Student Affairs will:
— Centralize student resources like scholarship cohort coordination, advising, and referrals to mental health and wellness services under a new Center for Student Access and Resources
— Create a new Community and Cultural Engagement Center (pending approval from the Utah Board of Higher Education) focused on cultural education, celebration, engagement and awareness.
— Reorganize the student services and cultural offerings of the Women’s Resource Center and LGBT Resource Center under the two new centralized centers, and close both existing centers.
At the same time, the American Indian Resource Center will be renamed the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, and will continue to work with tribal nations, including as the liaison with the Ute Indian Tribe under the tribe’s MOU with the university. The Black Cultural Center building at Fort Douglas will remain open as a community gathering space.
HB 261 during its passage in January drew some controversy largely along party lines with the Republican majority, as well as Gov. Spencer Cox, claiming DEI policies amount to discrimination. Democrats called the bill anti-DEI and harmful to minorities.
The university, the release said, will continue to celebrate Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Pride Week, Women’s Week, and cultural heritage months.
“Our campus plays an important and historic role in creating an educational setting that gathers, celebrates and honors a wide array of communities at the U and in our surrounding area,” said Provost Mitzi Montoya.
“As this new organization takes shape, I am confident that our students, faculty and staff will continue to receive the personalized support and services they need to thrive and succeed as we foster an ongoing culture of care.”
