Virginia Tech faculty, students and alumni pushed back on a resolution to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs and services, but the Board of Visitors chose to bend the knee to President Donald Trump’s executive order instead.
A resolution was approved by the board this afternoon and ensures that all university programs, policies, practices and actions follow the order and guidelines provided by the Department of Education, according to a news release sent by the university. While the vote was not unanimous, it was an overwhelming “yes” in support of the resolution.
The Trump administration hit colleges and universities where it hurts most, threatening to eliminate federal funding to any school that didn’t fall in line with the so-called discriminatory practices.
“The Trump Department of Education will not allow educational institutions that receive federal funds to discriminate on the basis of race,” said Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
Despite the resolution, Virginia Tech Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke affirmed Tech’s commitment to rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, including freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly consistent with university policy regarding reasonable time, place and matter.
The First Amendment protects the expression of ideas and opinions that some may find controversial, disagreeable and offensive, and the right of people to gather to express, promote, pursue and defend their opinions, Clarke said.
The resolution regarding the removal of DEI at Virginia Tech applies 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.
It directs Virginia Tech to ensure there are no third-party contractors, clearinghouses or aggregators that are being used to circumvent the order.
The resolution also officially dissolves the university’s Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence.
The board is requesting an update on compliance within 30 days.
Youngkin all in on elimination of DEI
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has praised Virginia universities and community colleges, most with Board of Visitor members appointed by him, for their swift actions to kill DEI.
Virginia’s 23 community colleges voted to cease DEI programs and practices on March 20 to affirm “compliance with recent guidance on discrimination and merit-based opportunity,” per a press release. The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors also passed a similar resolution on March 7.
The governor’s office gleefully reported on the victory in a news release after the UVA BOV vote.
“DEI is done at the University of Virginia,” Youngkin said. “We stand for the universal truth that everyone is created equal, and opportunity is at the heart of Virginians’ and Americans’ future.”
Youngkin has not yet released a statement on the move by the Virginia Tech board today.
Virginia Tech allegedly began quietly removing DEI language from its website in February leaving many Hokies, past and present, concerned about future opportunities at Tech.
“We are deeply disappointed and concerned about the tactics used to challenge Virginia Tech’s commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment,” said Dr. Tekisha Dwan Everette, who signed a letter from alums objecting to the resolution. “We urge Virginia Tech to maintain programs that foster an inclusive environment for all students and consider the long-term impact that eliminating or shifting these programs would have on the educational experience of every student who have benefited from the support and opportunities DEIAB provides.”
Pushback from students, faculty, alumni didn’t change fate of DEI
In the end, pushback from students, faculty and alumni didn’t change the fate of DEI at the university.
Thousands of Virginia Tech students and protestors gathered at Burruss Hall for a rally on campus today to show support for diversity, equity and inclusion and to fight back against a fascist presidential administration. Signs from attendees included “F*** the BOV,” “Tim Sands has no spine,” “DiVersiTy” and “We won’t go back.” One speaker admonished Youngkin for his “fascist agenda” to eliminate DEI.
On its website, the Global Change Center at Virginia Tech said it will elevate the consideration of “inclusion, equity and diversity” in all of its decisions, policies and program.
“As a community, we stand with the leadership of the Virginia Tech Office for Inclusion and Diversity and embrace their affirmative statements to move beyond incremental change.”
A group of Virginia Tech alums also delivered a letter to the BOV ahead of its vote sharing their opposition to eliminating DEI programs at Virginia Tech. Some of those who added their name to the letter told those collecting signatures that they may adjust donations to the university based on this decision.
“We will continue to reach out to VT to demand a public forum to better understand what their plans are and what will happen next,” said Everette, a 1998 and 2000 alumna of Virginia Tech, on behalf of a group of concerned alums, in an email sent out after the vote today.
Virginia Tech President Tim Sands also released a statement following the vote.
“Making sure all students, employees and community members have access to the same resources and opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin and sex sounds simple, but it can be complex, and it is an essential part of our land-grant mission,” said Sands.
Note: Story was updated on Wednesday to add a link to the resolution passed by the BOV.
Related stories
For related stories, search “DEI” on Augusta Free Press.
- Virginia Tech alumni fight back against anti-DEI measures ahead of BOV vote
- Virginia Tech likely to join UVA in eliminating DEI programs at direction of Youngkin, Trump
- Virginia Community College System, at behest of Trump, Miyares, kills DEI initiatives
- AAUP urges UVA to ‘immediately reverse course’ on move to kill DEI programs
- Dear MAGA: Nice people don’t hate immigrants, don’t target trans teens
- UVA Board of Visitors does Youngkin’s bidding: ‘DEI is done at the University of Virginia’
- VMI superintendent addresses BOV ouster: ‘Bias, emotion and ideology’ factored into vote
- Charlottesville, Albemarle County departments navigate Trump’s assault on DEI programs
- ‘Business as usual’: Waynesboro, Staunton weigh in on ‘uncertainty’ of federal funding
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Crystal Graham
