Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information about the Center for Equity and Student Belonging.

The University of Utah is implementing structural changes within the Office of Student Affairs to comply with a new state law governing diversity efforts on campus.

Under HB 261, “Equal Opportunity Initiatives,” student services must be available to all students and not provided to individual students based on “personal identity characteristics.” At the same time, any campus cultural centers must be approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education under a new process outlined on June 6. The law takes effect on July 1.

In line with the new guidance from state lawmakers, the Utah Commissioner of Higher Education and the Utah Board of Higher Education, Student Affairs will:

• Centralize student resources like scholarship cohort coordination, advising, and referrals to mental health and wellness services under a new Center for Student Access and Resources
• Create a new Community and Cultural Engagement Center (pending approval from the Utah Board of Higher Education) focused on cultural education, celebration, engagement and awareness
• Reorganize the student services and cultural offerings of the Center for Equity and Student Belonging, LGBT Resource Center and Women’s Resource Center under the two new centralized centers, and close all three existing centers.

At the same time, the American Indian Resource Center will be renamed the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, and will continue to work with tribal nations, including as the liaison with the Ute Indian Tribe under the tribe’s MOU with the university.

The Black Cultural Center building at Fort Douglas will remain open as a community gathering space.

“As we’ve evaluated how best to comply with the legislation, I want to be clear that we’ve faced very difficult decisions,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Lori McDonald. “The law and subsequent guidance require a foundational change in how we approach student support, and we will follow the law. This isn’t about changing the words we use; we’re changing how we approach the work.”

McDonald shared the update with Student Affairs leaders and staff Thursday. Staff from all the centers have been reassigned under Student Affairs and no positions have been eliminated; some of their job descriptions and work will change.

The university will continue to celebrate Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Pride Week, Women’s Week, and cultural heritage months.

“Our campus plays an important and historic role in creating an educational setting that gathers, celebrates and honors a wide array of communities at the U and in our surrounding area,” said Provost Mitzi Montoya. “As this new organization takes shape, I am confident that our students, faculty and staff will continue to receive the personalized support and services they need to thrive and succeed as we foster an ongoing culture of care.”