UT firings: University of Texas at Austin lays off dozens of employees to comply with state’s diversity, equity, and inclusion ban [Video]

The University of Texas at Austin has laid off dozens of employees who used to work in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The university fired about 60 people, and some of the offices where they worked are expected to close by May 31, according to a joint letter from the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors and the Texas chapter of the NAACP. The firings were first reported by the Austin American-Statesman, citing people familiar with the decision.

UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell said in an email Tuesday that the school was also disbanding the Division of Campus and Community Engagement, which provided support and resources for “those who may face the most significant challenges in accessing” education, according to the department’s website. The AAUP and NAACP said about 40 of the people who were fired used to work in this department.

The changes aim to bring the university into fuller compliance with Senate Bill 17, a …