A giant step back for the state: University of Alabama System closes DEI offices [Video]

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Following the state ruling, all three institutions in the University of Alabama (UA) Systems across the state officially closed their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices on Tuesday.

“I would describe this as a giant step back for the state of Alabama,” Lawyer Eric Artrip said.

Senate Bill 129 outlawed any public institution or government entity from implementing DEI programming or maintaining a DEI office. The bill states that there is no place for “divisive concepts” in these entities, which can mean a range of topics focused on gender, race, religion, ethnicity and more.

“It prevents higher education from doing things that the private sector has been doing for many years,” Artrip said. “Which is just making people acknowledge that there are other people in the workplace or environment that may not look like them.”

The bill also prevents any institution from using state funding toward any DEI effort. If an …