The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has reversed its decision to launch a new office designed to uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion, bending to the forces of Senate Bill 17, a new state law that lays heavy restrictions on such efforts. In an about-face that left many on UTSA's campus reeling, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy scrapped plans for the Office of Campus and Community Belonging that was announced just a month prior and set to open on January 1st.
In response to the legislation, UTSA has disbanded its Office of Inclusive Excellence, a hub for fostering an inclusive university culture, and initially suggested a repackaged version under a new name might preserve its core functions. However, Eighmy, in a statement obtained by TPR, revealed that upon further consideration, "we decided not to launch the new office," citing "our evolving understanding of [Senate Bill] 17" and unspecified voluntary staffing adjustments. This reverse course suggests a chilling effect on the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives amidst legislative pressures.
As a result of the legislation, several campus groups have either changed names or ceased operations. Passing on the first of the year, Senate Bill 17 impacts not only programming but extends to hiring processes, removing preferences based on race or sex. The once intended Office of Campus and Community Belonging's purpose was to address the three pillars of ADA & accessibility, campus climate, and community partnership bridges, something Eighmy now claims will be absorbed into other existing university offices.
Anxiety weighs heavily on the faculty members, especially among faculty of color, who are left questioning the landscape of UTSA's campus environment. A member of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), who opted for anonymity out of fear of retribution, disclosed to the San Antonio Report, "There is a lot of fear, a lot of dread." With the new semester on the horizon, many professors sharing that concerns are growing. The university has not been forthcoming with how Senate Bill 17 may affect classroom content, even as faculty that teach diversity and equity seek assurance. The change has sowed the seeds of discord, with faculty and staff now reevaluating ways to protect the interests and security of their vulnerable colleagues against the backdrop of conformity to the new law.
UTSA's retrenchment in the wake of Senate Bill 17 represents another institution in Texas grappling with state-imposed limitations on diversity and equity initiatives. While President Eighmy assured in a statement that the responsibilities would be reallocated "across various institutional divisions," exact details remain nebulous. UTSA spokespeople have been tight-lipped, offering no comment on staff impacts nor affirming their retention within the university, as referenced in statements provided to the press.
