UVA Board Dissolves DEI Office
by James A. Bacon
The University of Virginia Board of Visitors passed a resolution today dissolving the university’s Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Partnerships and ordering a review of university programs and policies to ensure that they conform with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Trump administration guidance.
By way of explanation, the resolution referred to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order titled, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” as well as a “dear colleague” letter citing specific federal civil rights statutes.
The university review of practices will include “admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects or student, academic and campus life.”
Additionally, the resolution makes it clear that circumventing the law by employing proxies for race would not be tolerated.
Although the Board dissolved the university’s DEI office, it allowed for transferring “permissible” programs to a “new organizational home.” Also, the resolution did not explicitly address the quasi-independent DEI offices of the university’s College of Arts & Sciences and various schools.
The Board ordered the university president to update the board on compliance within 30 days.
Despite addressing one of the most contentious issues of our time, the discussions about the resolution took place in closed session. University Counsel Cliff Iler told Bacon’s Rebellion that the closed session was justified because he provided privileged “legal advice” to the Board. He was not at liberty to reveal the nature of that advice, he added.
— JAB
RESOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA REGARDING THE PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
WHEREAS, the University of Virginia highly values diversity, including diversity of thought and experience, and fosters an inclusive environment, encouraging a culture of opportunity for all, which immensely enriches our Grounds, and is committed to providing every student an education that is free from discrimination and grounded in merit; and
WHEREAS, the University of Virginia’s mission statement includes a commitment to “[developing] the full potential of talented students from all walks of life;” and
WHEREAS, on January 21, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed the Executive Order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity;” and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter on February 14, 2025, to clarify and affirm the nondiscrimination obligations of institutions receiving federal funds by explaining and reiterating existing legal requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and other federal civil rights laws; and
WHEREAS, the USED released Frequently Asked Questions on March 1, 2025, to anticipate and answer questions that might be raised by the Dear College Letter and to facilitate compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard; and
WHEREAS, the state law obligations of Commonwealth of Virginia agencies do not require a standalone office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) or dedicated DEI officers, nor do they require an infrastructure, strategic plan, or any elements that do not comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and other federal civil rights laws; and
WHEREAS, both the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors and its administration are committed to complying with the law, including the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other federal civil rights laws, informed by guidance provided in the January 21, 2025 Executive Order, the Dear Colleague Letter, and the March 1, 2025, Frequently Asked Questions;
RESOLVED, the University will take the following actions as informed by the guidance in the February 14, 2025 Dear Colleague Letter as well as the March 1 2025 Frequently Asked Questions document:
Ensure that all University programs, policies, practices, and actions in every regard comply with the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other federal civil rights laws. This includes but is not limited to, admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic and campus life;
Ensure there are no efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends; and
Ensure there are no third-party contractors, clearinghouses, or aggregators that are being used by institutions in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, the University shall immediately transfer permissible programs to a new organizational home; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, faculty, staff, and students doing legally permissible research and activities should proceed as normal; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, the University shall continue to review ongoing guidance from USED and the U.S. Attorney General and make appropriate changes to comply fully with the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S> Constitution, TItle VI of the CIvil Rights Act of 1964, and other federal civil rights laws; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, the President shall update the Board of visitors on compliance with this Resolution within 30 days of the date of this Resolution.