On Tuesday, July 23rd, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham announced plans to close their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and reassign staff to other responsibilities. The ACLU of Alabama is disappointed by the universities’ decision and encourages the system to reconsider its position.
“We are extremely disappointed to learn that the University of Alabama is closing its diversity, equity, and inclusion office just weeks before students are expected to return to campus,” said JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist, the executive director of the ACLU of Alabama. “It wasn’t that long ago when the university was lauded nationwide for its proactive efforts to help students feel more welcomed after peaceful demonstrations and videos by student-athletes, coaches, and administrators drew attention to the struggles most students of color face. The university’s decision is inconsistent with the desires of their student body as UA students were among the most vocal leading opposition to SB129. We will continue to collaborate with our partners in Tuscaloosa and across the state to determine how we can best support students and educators.”
