Auburn University announced that it will be dissolving its office of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by August 15. Employees will be reassigned to other positions and departments.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to deliver exceptional experiences and to support all students, with particular emphasis on providing access and opportunity,” school leadership said in a statement. “We are dedicated to ensuring the First Amendment is celebrated and that all students, faculty, and staff are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.”
RELATED: University of Alabama System closing DEI offices, redirecting resources to serve all students
SB129, as signed by Governor Ivey, authored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in Alabama’s public schools and universities. Additionally, it bans several divisive concepts including the idea that “any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior”.
The law officially goes into effect on October 1 and Any person found to be in violation could forfeit their job.
Last week, the University of Alabama School System announced that it too would be shutting down its DEI offices.
Other states including Florida have recently enacted similar legislation and eliminated all DEI-related initiatives and programs at the University of Florida.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
