UT Dallas laying off staff, closing office to comply with DEI law [Video]

The UTD president says the cuts were made to keep in compliance with SB 17, which bans DEI initiatives at public universities.

RICHARDSON, Texas — The University of Texas at Dallas is laying off about 20 employees and is closing a campus support center to comply with a state ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public universities.

University President Richard Benson made the announcement Tuesday in an email to the campus community.

Specifically, Benson said the university’s Office of Campus Resources and Support and about 20 associated jobs will be cut effective April 30. Benson said in his letter that the impacted employees were notified and that student workers will retain their jobs through the end of the semester.

UT Dallas’ announcement comes one week after the University of Texas in Austin announced that it laid off about 60 people to comply with Senate Bill 17, which prohibits public universities from having DEI offices or holding DEI programs. The law took …

Tags Blacklivesmatter, Representation Matters, Women Empowerment, Women In Business