Gov. Patrick Morrisey says he is pleased that West Virginia University has dealt a blow to the “Woke Virus.”
Following an executive order by the governor, WVU announced this week that it would shut down its current Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Morrisey issued a response, describing the move as progress toward fulfilling a pledge that he had made in his inauguration speech.
“Several weeks ago, I came to you during my inaugural address to talk about how we needed to eradicate the woke virus in our schools,” Morrisey said, delivering his comments on video and from behind a desk. “We emphasized the importance of getting rid of DEI out of West Virginia state government.”
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, including Morrisey, have taken aim at the policies as a kind of reverse discrimination.
Ninety-three percent of West Virginia’s population is White and almost 4% of residents are Black, according to the U.S. Census. About 2% of state residents are Hispanic.
Morrisey’s executive order called for state government or entities receiving state funding to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
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.”
This week, WVU said it would dismantle the diversity office while continuing to discuss compliance with the executive order.
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.
Morrisey, in his statement, said he is pleased by the move.
“This is a big win for the Mountain State. I want to applaud WVU for the actions that it’s taken. This is really critical. I know there’s always a lot of pressure to do the wrong thing – here is West Virginia, we’re going to do the right thing and we’re going to make sure that West Virginia always stands for freedom, the rule of law, and the American ideal.
“We’re going to keep going – this is just the beginning of our effort to root out DEI. That’s going to happen more and more in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.
Morrisey, a Republican, made similar promises in his inaugural address earlier this month.
On social issues, Morrisey said in the address, “we will eliminate the woke virus from the schools. And that means starting now. There will be no more DEI. No more radical agendas, no more brainwashing, no more confusion about the differences between boys and girls.
“Under my administration, West Virginia schools will be for learning, not social experiments.”
Governor Patrick Morrisey’s statement on West Virginia University ending the WVU Division of DEI pic.twitter.com/rcIMZmp7JP
— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) January 31, 2025