In reaction to an executive order from the governor, West Virginia University is shutting down its current Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
University officials announced the closure in a memo distributed across campus by email.
The university said a new unit — the WVU Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance — has been established with a redefined mission: ensuring adherence to federal and state guidance and fulfilling the needs of the campus community, including compliance with Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“This is not a rebranding, but a shift in focus that will align with the Governor’s directive,” university officials said in the memorandum.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey outlined several executive orders the day after he was sworn into office. One of the orders is titled “ordering the cessation of DEI.”
The acronym stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s a set of policies in business, government and academia aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable environment. Social conservatives have taken aim at the policies as a kind of reverse discrimination. That’s where Morrisey lands.
Morrisey said the executive order would serve as a marker so state government representatives will know what to expect. For state government organizations that have diversity, equity and inclusion policies in place already, Morrisey described the start of a process to remove the initiatives.
WVU has described reviewing the executive order while also communicating with the campus community and people affected by any change.
The university said that review process remains underway and also includes the subsequent federal executive order issued by President Trump
“Once the University’s review is complete, administrators will have a better understanding of the impact and will provide more specific, unit-level guidance at that time,” the memorandum said.
“The University is committed to keeping the WVU community informed throughout this process and will continue to provide regular communication and feedback as it works to ensure it is in compliance with any and all obligations.”
West Virginia University has had a Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which “exists because WVU is always striving to create the safe, diverse, welcoming community we all deserve.”
WVU’s website for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mostly showed support and training opportunities. There was a link to an implicit bias test and staff recommendations for books and podcasts.
Upcoming events listed on the site included a stalking awareness panel and “Tunnel of Awareness” — described as “an interactive social justice experience that provides attendees the opportunity to gain greater insight into topics of diversity, inclusion, equity, oppression, bias and culture.”
There are also diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and events in specific parts of WVU like the Honors College and the John Chambers College of Business & Economics.
WVU’s athletic department has an initiative that says “West Virginia University recognizes that, as a microcosm of society, sport is not exempt from the perils of inequality, bias and discrimination. Understanding that sport can be a platform for positive change, we take responsibility of our unique opportunity to unify people of all social identities.”
Marshall University in Huntington took down five subpages of the president’s commission on diversity, equality and inclusion, as well as a few pages that were nomination forms or redirect links. The initiative began under a former university president, according to Marshall officials.
As an ongoing process, Marshall is undertaking a comprehensive audit of some university materials, including internal and external-facing websites, to ensure the accuracy and currency of all information
“Marshall University is thoughtfully considering the federal and state orders that apply to higher education, including those related to DEI,” said Leah Payne, the director of communications at Marshall.
“Our legal and government relations teams are conducting an extensive review to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.”
Some free speech organizations have threatened legal action over Morrisey’s executive order, saying it is too broad and could chill classroom discussion. One is the national organization FIRE, and the other is American Civil Liberties Union-West Virginia.
FIRE has offered support to any faculty member contending their classroom instruction would be affected by the West Virginia executive order.
“While efforts to eliminate both compelled speech and unlawful discrimination are laudable, Governor Morrisey’s effort to eliminate them goes too far, resulting in state-sponsored censorship,” said FIRE’s lead counsel for government affairs, Tyler Coward.
“Governor Morrisey should rescind or amend the executive order to make clear that it does not affect higher education classroom instruction.”