UT Austin Students Protest School's Decision to Lay Off Staff Over New DEI Ban

Approximately 200 students at the University of Texas at Austin interrupted a virtual faculty council meeting led by university president Jay Hartzell on Monday.

Students at UT Austin Protested Opposing University's Decision

They were opposing the university's recent decision to lay off almost 60 employees who worked in diversity, equity, and inclusion-related roles.

When Hartzell and other university officials joined the meeting, they were confronted by numerous students displaying a black background with the message "No DEI = Not Our Texas" in red letters.

Christian Mira, representing UT Austin's Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color Agency, emphasized the students' demand for transparency, communication, and support from Hartzell regarding compliance with State Bill 17 and the changes affecting the campus.

The layoffs, which predominantly affected people of color, queer, and trans individuals, were announced by Hartzell on April 2, following the closure of the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and the discontinuation of DEI-supportive programs.

Critics of the layoffs expressed frustration and disillusionment, particularly highlighting the impact on marginalized communities. The university's swift backlash included demands from faculty, students, and organizations for accountability and a reversal of the firings.

Students lamented the loss of supportive programs and expressed sadness and uncertainty about the future. The protest against the DEI changes garnered significant support, with hundreds signing a letter demanding transparency from university and state officials.

The layoffs at UT Austin and similar actions at the University of Texas at Dallas were attributed to compliance with Texas legislation SB 17, which bans DEI initiatives in higher education.

Faculty members who opposed SB 17 during the legislative session expressed frustration at the university's failure to safeguard jobs as promised. The community's trust in university officials has been severely shaken by these developments.

The university's actions are driven by compliance with Senate Bill 17, which prohibits DEI initiatives at public universities in the state.

President Jay Hartzell stated in an email that the institution anticipated these changes and recognized the need to utilize resources effectively to support teaching, research, and students.

Read Also: West Virginia University Student Union Asserts That Struggle Persists After Program Cuts

Protesting Students Call for Transparency and Effective Communication

The protesting students emphasized their demand for transparency and communication from President Hartzell.

Other public institutions in the state are also under pressure to demonstrate compliance with the law, with warnings from State Sen. Brandon Creighton about potential funding consequences for non-compliance.

Critics like Karma Chávez, chair of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, said the layoffs blindsided and angered many, largely impacting Black, brown, queer, and trans staff who provided vital resources to underrepresented students.

Programs supporting undocumented, multicultural, and women students were also affected. Faculty, students, and advocacy groups have swiftly condemned the cuts.

The university's AAUP chapter demanded reversing the "discriminatory" firings that violate free expression. The Texas NAACP sought transparency, while the Legislative Black Caucus criticized the decision.

As campus morale plummets, protesters insist Hartzell be held accountable, with graduate student Zion James saying, "We don't know what to do...or how to move forward." Students who rely on the now-defunct support services feel adrift.

The conflict highlights the tensions arising from Texas' new restrictions on DEI initiatives in public higher education.

Texas is among five states that have recently passed legislation targeting DEI programs, with at least 20 others considering similar measures.

Related Article: University of Florida Abolishes All DEI Roles in Light of Recent State Regulations