Advocacy groups claim UT lays off dozens of employees in response to Texas’ DEI ban

In a move to comply with Texas’ ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, the University of Texas at Austin has laid off dozens of staff members, sparking outrage among advocacy groups.

UT President Jay Hartzell announced the closure of the division of campus and community engagement, which was predominantly operated by former DEI positions, in an effort to streamline student-facing programs. While Hartzell’s email did not mention layoffs, estimates suggest that around 60 people were notified they were losing their jobs.

The Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors and the Texas chapter of the NAACP issued a joint statement expressing concern over the layoffs, noting that many of the affected employees had jobs with very different responsibilities from their former DEI roles.

Critics of DEI argue that it favors race over merit and imposes a specific ideology on students. The new law banning DEI from Texas campuses, known as SB 17, went into effect on January 1, prompting universities like UT to rename or close down DEI-related centers and programs.

Senator Brandon Creighton, who sent a letter to colleges warning them about repercussions for continuing DEI work, described the ban as the most robust prohibition in the nation, aiming to create a merit-based environment for all members of the university community.

The layoffs at UT highlight the ongoing debate over DEI efforts in higher education and the impact of legislation aimed at restricting such initiatives.