The West Virginia University Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be replaced by the Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance. The new division’s goals include compliance with Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to a statement released by the university, the change is being made to comply with Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s Executive Order No. 3-25 as well as Pres. Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14151. Both orders block organizations from using government funds to support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Popularly known as DEI, the term has become shorthand for efforts from organizations like universities and companies to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people.
In an email to WVPB, WVU officials said the university “remains a welcoming community open to all.”
“The new Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance, led by Vice President Meshea Poore, is positioned to carry out its core mission and to serve all within our University community,” the email reads. “We continue to work internally with units campus wide as we evaluate the specifics and potential effects (of) the federal and state orders. Once our review is complete, we will have a better understanding of the impact and will provide more specific, unit-level guidance to members of our campus community at that time.”
Other public universities in the state similarly say they are reviewing policies, and will release updates in the near future.
Marshall University, whose efforts are distributed across various areas within the institution including the President’s Commission on DEI, said in an email they anticipate “having an update next week regarding the university’s progress on the Executive Orders, particularly as they pertain to DEI.”
Marshall officials also confirmed several pages related to the Commission on DEI have since been unpublished as part of the university’s review.
An official with Shepherd University told WVPB via email that the university’s vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusivity position had not been filled for close to a year.
“The University does not have any procedures, policies, or programs in place that provide special benefits or treatment to any person or group based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or nation of origin,” the official said in an email. “We are proud to offer our diverse community of students high-quality and innovative programs that position them for success as global citizens and leaders. We are reviewing and evaluating our policies in light of the Executive Order. We are anticipating some further guidance through the WV Higher Education Policy Commission for understanding the scope of the directives and the manner in which our report for the Governor will be assimilated.”
In a recorded statement released Thursday night, Gov. Patrick Morrisey reaffirmed his commitment to rooting out what he called “preferences unlawfully benefitting one group over another.”
“I’m a believer, like many of you, that God looks at us, the rule of law looks at us, as equals,” Morrisey said. “We have an equal protection clause. We care about the rule of law. We care about freedom. We don’t want special preferences unlawfully benefitting one group over another – race, color, age, ethnicity. We have to make sure we’re taking steps to treat everyone the same under the law.”
The governor said this is just the beginning of efforts to “root out DEI” in the weeks and months ahead.