University of Virginia Dissolves DEI Office

The University of Virginia Board of Visitors has passed a resolution dissolving its Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Partnerships and ordering an audit of university policies and programs to ensure they are in compliance with the Equal Protection Clause of U.S. Constitution.

The resolution explained that it referred to the Executive Order of President Donald Trump titled “Ending Unlawful Discrimination and Restorating Merit-Based Opportunity”, as well as an “Dear Colleague” letter which cited specific federal civil rights laws.

The review will cover “admissions and hiring, promotions, compensation, financial assistance, scholarships, awards, administrative support and discipline, housing and graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.”

The resolution also makes it clear the use of proxies to disguise race in order to circumvent the guidelines will not be tolerated.

The Board dissolved the DEI office of the University, but allowed the transfer of “permissible programs” to a “new organization home.” It also did not address the quasi-independent DEI Offices of the College of Arts & Sciences of the University and other schools.

The Board instructed the university president that he must report back to the board within 30 days on the status of compliance.

The discussion about the resolution was held in closed session, despite the fact that it addressed one of the most controversial issues of our day. Cliff Iler, University Counsel at the University of California Berkeley, told Bacon’s Rebellion that he justified the closed-door discussion by stating he shared “privileged legal advice.”