University of Missouri dismantles diversity division amid political pressure
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The University of Missouri will no longer have a vice chancellor specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives after pressure from Republican lawmakers.
University of Missouri President Mun Choi said Tuesday that MU will be reorganizing its Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in the face of Republican attacks on what has become known as DEI.
The news conference comes after Maurice Gipson, the vice-chancellor of the Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, announced he would be leaving in August. Choi said this decision was organic as both Gipson and MU tried to find a sustainable path forward for DEI resources.
Though the IDE division will now cease to exist, Choi said all resources offered under the office will continue to be available to students, now just reorganized under the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of the Provost.
"By law, we can't discriminate based on race or origin and so fourth, as you know," Choi said. "So, we are actually moving (IDE resources) into visions that serve all students."
The reorganization will take effect Aug. 15.
Choi said all staff currently under the IDE Division will keep their jobs and will now report to other divisions.
While student groups say it's encouraging resources will still be offered, some are concerned at how the availability of these resources will be publicized to students now that they aren't under one umbrella.
Co-President of MU's Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association Anna Mori-Kreiner said if resources aren't easy for students to find, it could make getting help more difficult.
"I feel like it's a little bit underhanded," Mori-Kreiner said. "I'm glad that the resources are there, but to not publicize it as DEI is a little questionable."
The division's reorganization comes amid mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers in Missouri and other states.
Choi said he's seen multiple states enact legislation to eliminate DEI programs, which has led other public universities to do major staff layoffs.
"There are many DEI programs that had been eliminated because of legislative mandates, and we wanted to be ahead of the curve and make a proactive decision to best serve our students," Choi said.
Multiple bills in the Missouri legislature have targeted diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
A bill introduced this legislative session by state Sen. Ben Brown (R-Rolla) would have kept any postsecondary public institution from requiring applicants, students, employees or contractors to submit a DEI statement and would prohibit universities from giving preferential treatment in admissions or employment.
That bill was passed through a senate committee but was not passed into law.
President of MU's African Graduate Professional Student Association Chimdi Walter Ndubuisi said while it is too early to comment on how MU's division changes will effect students on campus, the anti-DEI legislation being pushed by lawmakers is concerning.
"At the end of the day, what makes campuses and, in general, America great is because of that inclusion, because of that diversity," Ndubuisi said. "That's what breeds innovation."
Lawmaker reactions
Some Missouri Republican and Democratic lawmakers reacted to the news on Tuesday.
State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) said he found the move to be premature. Smith said he thinks the change could create the perception for students at the university that they aren't valued.
Smith also noted that MU had a choice in deciding whether or not to dismantle the program, adding that the bill was not passed into law in Missouri. He said he thinks the current trend of the country, including multiple states pushing for the change is unfortunate and wishes MU didn't go in the same direction.
"Diversity should be celebrated. Diversity is not a bad word and this idea that we're going to end all these programs is not good for anybody," Smith said. Diversity makes businesses better, It makes education better, it makes society better and we need to fight against these people that want to dismantle these programs and not just cave in and give in to their whims."
State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) said she was excited to hear the news because the legislature had been pushing to get rid of the program. Reisch said she believes it will create a positive feeling on MU's campus, noting Gipson was already planning to leave the university and because all employees will keep their jobs.
Resich also said she thinks the move allows the university, as well as the state of Missouri as a whole, to show it doesn't discriminate in any way.
She said she believes the move would be a positive thing for the nation, adding people should only be hired or admitted into school based on their qualifications.
"We felt that what should happen is people should be hired, whether it's for a job based on their qualifications... or they should be admitted into a college or university based on their grades and other standards and not on their race or their gender or anything else," Reisch said.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt also shared his support on Tuesday in a post on X.
"Great news. Divisive and discriminatory DEI has no place in our institutions. Discrimination based on race is unacceptable. This kind of leadership brings people together. Kudos to Mizzou," the post reads.
Great news. Divisive and discriminatory DEI has no place in our institutions.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) July 30, 2024
Discrimination based on race is unacceptable. This kind of leadership brings people together. Kudos to @Mizzou https://t.co/goJZN0Haz3
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also showed his support on social media. Bailey said he is "proud to have led the charge in ensuring racial discrimination has no place in Missouri."
JUST IN: Mizzou has ELIMINATED its diversity, equity, and inclusion program.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) July 30, 2024
Encouraged to see the University comply with both state and federal law.
Proud to have led the charge in ensuring racial discrimination has NO place in Missouri. https://t.co/o30g9mZI5m
Choi said he and Gipson have talked about a path forward for inclusion, diversity and equity programs at MU. Choi said he is working with student groups to make the transition as easy as possible.
MU's Legion of Black Collegians posted a statement on Instagram on Tuesday and thanked Choi's willingness to include them in conversations about these changes, but also said lawmakers' efforts to frame DEI work as misinformation diminishes accountability.
"With a thorough understanding of the current political climate, the Legion is increasingly concerned about potential further losses as the school remains fully committed to complying with state laws," the statement said.
Last week, Choi released a statement thanking Gipson for his work at MU. The statement said Gipson will leave MU on Aug. 15 to work at Philander Smith University.
