AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin is facing backlash after laying off multiple employees who had previously held positions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The layoffs were a result of a new state law that banned such programs on campuses. The Texas chapter of the American Association of University Professors reported that employees received layoff notices on Tuesday, several months after being reassigned to other positions in order to comply with the legislation that took effect on January 1. The university, however, did not disclose the exact number of affected individuals.
According to Brian Evans, a professor at UT and interim president of the Texas AAUP, along with Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP, the layoffs can be seen as retaliation against employees due to their previous involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. These terminations have raised concerns and prompted discussions regarding potential violations of First Amendment rights.
The recent layoffs came shortly after a conservative state legislator issued a warning to Texas universities demanding compliance with the law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion offices on campus, known as Senate Bill 17. In response, the university president announced the closure of UT-Austin’s Division of Campus and Community Engagement, citing the new law as the reason behind this decision.
Debates over diversity policies have been ongoing in higher education institutions across Texas and the nation. Just last summer, the Supreme Court ruled against race-based affirmative action, further fueling the controversy. Other universities in Texas, such as the University of Florida and Texas A&M University, have also been grappling with similar challenges and facing pushback over diversity initiatives.
Supporters of the Texas law argue that diversity, equity, and inclusion offices enforce ideological conformity and result in costly bureaucracy. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan applauded the job cuts, seeing them as proof of the effectiveness of the legislature’s actions.
In response to the layoffs, critics have called on the university to rescind the termination notices. State Representative Ron Reynolds, chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, stated that the layoffs were an overreaction to the implementation of Senate Bill 17.
The University of Texas at Austin’s decision to lay off diversity, equity, and inclusion employees is just one instance among many in the nationwide debate over these issues. State lawmakers in over 20 states have filed at least 82 bills attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education since 2023. Advocates for diversity and inclusion argue that such initiatives create more supportive and reflective environments within campuses and workplaces.
While the university argues that funding previously allocated for diversity programs will now be redirected towards teaching and research, critics express concern that the layoffs disproportionately impact communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Faculty members are urging the university to release information regarding the number of individuals affected and their respective backgrounds.
As conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to evolve, university faculty, department chairs, and concerned individuals are organizing protests and seeking ways to voice their dissent against the university’s decision. The recent layoffs have left many feeling disheartened and have ignited debates over the future of diversity initiatives at UT-Austin.