University Of Wyoming VP Of DEI Departs As Department Closes

The University of Wyoming’s vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion, (DEI) announced that he is leaving UW and taking a new job, elsewhere.

The outgoing head of DEI is taking a position at Salisbury University in Maryland.

UW plans to shutter its DEI office next month.

UW is closing the office due to pressure and budget cuts from Wyoming's legislators.

Those seeking a job at UW will no longer have to submit DEI statements nor evaluate employees’ commitment to DEI in annual performance reviews.

University President Ed Seidel and the UW Board of Trustees made the changes.

“in response to legislative action that removed $1.73 million from UW’s upcoming biennium budget. A legislative budget footnote also directed that no state dollars be spent on the DEI office, effective July 1, 2024,” a news release stated.

“We received a strong message from the state’s elected officials to change our approach to DEI issues,” Seidel said.

 

Seidel added support programs run out of the DEI office.

Others argue such moves may not go far enough.

Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a portion of the Legislature’s budget. So some of that money was cut but some would continue to fund a few of UW's diversity programs.

Governor Gordon was worried about losing Federal money if UW did not have some of these DEI programs.

Now a UW working group is looking at DEI-related programming to see what, if any, they might keep.

“The message from lawmakers, regardless of the welcomed line-item veto from the Governor, is that our DEI efforts must change, and discussions are underway to determine the best path forward,” University President Ed Seidel wrote.

Faculty, staff, students, and administrators have offered suggestions.

Perhaps the office could be funded with private support.

Could the office be continued, but under a new name?

Some suggested simply closing the office, and terminating the employees.

Maybe they could close the office and redirect federally required duties elsewhere.

UW President Seidel directed a working group to find ways that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, activities, and functions could be organized and funded within the university "to make them most effective."