Forum Post
It has come to my attention that departments, colleges, and units are being “recommended” by offices (e.g., Provost’s Office and Office of Compliance and Civil Rights) to change equity, diversity, and inclusion language on public-facing websites. There has been no direct or consistent communication with faculty, or even various levels of leadership, about this recommendation to date and yet changes are occurring. A couple examples of this is the recent change in title of the “Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusive Excellence” to the “Vice Provost for Access and Opportunity” and removal of “equity, diversity, and inclusion” from the Pullman Libraries’ values.
It is imperative that there be transparency in this detrimental decision and that faculty senate have direct involvement. Without resistance or, at the bare minimum, cohesion we are leaving the most vulnerable amongst us at risk.
Response
Please find below a response from Provost Riley-Tillman and the Provost’s Office:
The evolving political landscape in recent months has brought unique challenges to higher education. Throughout this period, we have worked diligently to communicate the steps the university is taking to address these challenges, even as they continue to shift. This includes navigating the transition of our new president, who is instrumental in shaping our path forward.
Our commitment to our mission as a land-grant institution remains unwavering. Access and opportunity are long-standing and core tenets of the land-grant mission. Both access and opportunity are only achieved by honoring diversity, acting equitably, and striving for inclusion. While recent changes in federal perspectives on DEI have presented new considerations and the need to comply with federal funding requirements, we are confident that our focus on the principles of access and opportunity will preserve our ability to serve all communities effectively and meaningfully.
In the coming weeks, we will share institutional recommendations to ensure a consistent approach moving forward. Thank you for your continued engagement and dedication.
Comments
Washington State has not directed the removal of equity, diversity, and inclusion related language. Yet, WSU leaders and CCR are forcing (not recommending) individuals, offices, programs, and campuses to do exactly that in anticipatory obedience of federal pressure or federal cuts and under the guise that scrubbing language or references to equity, diversity, and inclusion; LGBTQ; and underrepresented groups or cultures from job titles and/or websites will avoid WSU from being “targeted.” WSU appears to be seizing this “opportunity to implement ‘reforms’ [and changes] they have long sought” (AAUP).
Faculty Senate has noted variability from campus to campus in this language. We have reached out to the Provost and to Lisa Guerrero for a response.
This is the team that is communicating and interpreting federal law and direction. It is my understanding that campuses and departments have been directed to make changes though we have not heard confirmation of this.
https://news.wsu.edu/navigating-challenges/contact/