Dive Deeper:

• The University of Texas at Austin is eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion staff positions and closing its
  department focused on access and belonging on campus, as part of complying with the state's anti-DEI law.

• The university is redirecting funds from DEI initiatives to teaching and research, resulting in associate or
  assistant deans returning to their full-time faculty positions and the elimination of staff roles formerly focused
  on DEI.

• Staff members who are losing their jobs will have the opportunity to apply for other open positions at
  UT Austin, although the exact number of jobs being eliminated has not been disclosed.

• UT Austin is also shutting down its Division of Campus and Community Engagement, previously known
  as the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, following the implementation of SB17.

• The closure of the office and job cuts have impacted cultural programs, identity groups, and events on
  campus, with some student leaders expressing sadness and concern over the disinvestment in DEI-related
  jobs and programs.

• Aaliyah Barlow, president of the university's Black Student Alliance, shared her personal disappointment
  and feeling of discouragement, stating that the loss of staff members and programs has negatively affected
  her college experience.

• Students have been actively trying to raise funds to support their programs in the wake of the funding
  cuts, highlighting the challenges faced by the university community in maintaining important initiatives and services.