University of Virginia dissolves DEI Office

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The University of Virginia no longer has an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

A resolution unanimously voted in by the University’s Board of Visitors Friday, brings them into compliance with President Trump’s executive order titled, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”

The two-page resolution from UVa says this decision also comes after getting a letter from the U.S. Department of Education to all educational institutions that receive federal funding.

Virginia’s Governor, Glen Youngkin, praised the university for the move, saying, “The Board of Visitors voted for common sense, saying ‘no’ to illegal discrimination and ‘yes’ to merit-based opportunity.”

Republican, Winsome Earle-Sears, who wants to be Virginia’s next governor, is also backing the University’s decision, saying in a statement, “The University of Virginia’s decision to disband its DEI office and uphold federal law is a victory for students, faculty, and taxpayers.”

While it is not clear on how many UVa employees this will affect, the resolution does say President Jim Ryan will update the Board of Visitors within 30 days on the progress of restructuring.

A university spokesperson sent this statement to 29News:

"The University’s Division for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Partnerships houses several important functions, including the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, Title IX compliance, the UVA Tribal Liaison, and the University’s Office for Community Partnerships. In accordance with the resolution, the administration will review the functions of the office, and all personnel and programs that are permissible under state and federal law will be transferred within the University, within 30 days. We will provide additional information as those efforts proceed.

As the resolution, which was approved unanimously, states, the “University of Virginia highly values diversity, including diversity of thought and experience, and fosters an inclusive environment, encouraging a culture of opportunity for all” and those values will guide this process going forward."

Currently, the DEI office’s website is still up.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.