University regroups after changes to diversity efforts

With fall semester in full swing, the University of Utah’s campus is adjusting to a new reality after the implementation of limits on diversity efforts that were dictated by state law.

President Taylor Randall and Provost Mitzi Montoya briefed the Academic Senate on Aug. 26.

“I understand the urgency and the need to make sure people feel a sense of belonging. And I deeply appreciate the faculty and staff who are working toward that goal,” said Randall. “We’re trying to move things forward within the bounds of the law.”

After the bill was signed into law on Jan. 30, 2024, university leaders worked to understand each facet of the legislation and its impact on campus. Over time, with guidance from the Office of General Counsel and the Utah System of Higher Education, the President’s Office, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs concluded three historic student resource and cultural centers would have to be closed—the Center for Equity and Student Belonging, LGBT Resource Center and Women’s Resource Center. The Black Cultural Center would remain open, but no longer provide student resources.

In a Q&A in Inside Higher Ed on Aug. 29, Vice President for Student Affairs Lori McDonald, noted how quickly lawmakers required the changes to be made—over just five months, from the bill’s signing to its July 1 implementation date.

With most students and faculty off campus for that implementation period, “it was like we were making changes quickly, and that is difficult,” McDonald said. “It’s been a grieving process.”

At the same time, media coverage confused the issue. The Salt Lake Tribune ran two successive stories—one concluding the U had gone too far, the other quoting Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner Geoff Landward.

“It’s not required by law. And I’m not directing them to do it as a requirement,” he told the Tribune. “But it’s what I’m advising them to do either now or to start transitioning toward as the model for the future.

“I just don’t think we’re out of the woods,” Landward added. “There are still concerns. … It’s an inevitability that we’re going to have to confront the issue of these centers again anyway.”

That decision took many on campus by surprise. Dozens of faculty signed a letter criticizing the decision and demanding more dialogue with leaders.

“Choosing to close centers with a documented history of success and extensive support by alumni and current faculty and staff simply makes no sense,” faculty and staff members of the Asian/Asian American Faculty, Staff & Graduate Student Association, Black Faculty and Staff Association, Latinidad and QUAFFS (the Queer Alliance for Faculty and Staff) wrote in a letter to the administration. “These abrupt closures tarnish the reputation of the U as an outstanding research university, a trusted community partner and a great place to work.”

Montoya has offered to meet with the letter writers. Faculty are also invited to attend her regular Coffee, Cocoa and Tea discussion sessions, which are posted online. Staff and faculty may also reach out to their deans and department chairs with questions. For specific questions about how the new centers will continue to support students and engage the community, email studentaffairs@utah.edu or president@umc.utah.edu.

“Without the presence of several of our historic centers, we need to reimagine how to ensure that the U remains a welcoming place where faculty are successful and every student graduates,” Montoya wrote. “Creating a culture of caring is a shared responsibility. Much has changed, but the commitment to support students through their individual challenges—and the frontline staff who have dedicated their careers to doing so in each of these centers—remains the same. We welcome future discussion.”

Throughout it all, university leaders have acknowledged the complicated and painful process of making the change. Other state colleges and universities have taken a different approach—either renaming existing centers or eliminating all resource centers. University leaders say the U is taking a cautious, gradual approach.

In the coming weeks, the president said, the U will apply to the Utah Board of Higher Education for approval of a new Center for Cultural and Community Engagement that would take the place of the four cultural centers. Once that is approved, the university will ask the board to sign off on a reorganized Black Cultural Center and LGBT Resource Center.