SICK SISTER SARAH SMASHES UARK DIVISION OF DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)
Breaking news, folks! Governor Sanders, also known as Sick Sister Sarah, has made a bold move and ditched diversity for right-wing dogma at the University of Arkansas. That's right, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is getting the boot and its resources and personnel will be spread out like peanut butter on bread to other departments across the university.
Chancellor Charles Robinson, the first Black chancellor of the university and a former vice chancellor for diversity, made the decision to restructure and align resources directly to the 'front lines' of the university's student and employee support structures. Apparently, this move will achieve better outcomes for equal opportunity, access, and belonging.
But what about the DEI division's programs and resources for students and faculty of color? Don't worry, they'll be reassigned to a new position in a different unit focused on student or employee recruitment and success. Easy peasy, right? Wrong. It's unclear how this dissolution will affect the continuity and quality of the existing programs and resources that were offered by the division.
The university also said that the reallocation of resources will strengthen its ability to achieve measurable results that enhance opportunity for all Arkansans. But again, it's unclear how the university will monitor and evaluate the impact of the change on its DEI goals and outcomes. We'll just have to trust them on this one, folks.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. DEI initiatives are facing pushback nationwide and in Arkansas, where Republican lawmakers have attempted to ban affirmative action and diversity hiring practices for state and local government jobs, including in public universities. This may create a challenging environment for students and faculty of color who may feel marginalized or unwelcome on campus.
But hey, who needs diversity when you have right-wing dogma, am I right? Let's just hope this move doesn't come back to bite Governor Sanders in the butt. And if it does, we'll be here to report it with our witty commentary. Stay tuned, folks.
P.S. Don't forget, the University of Arkansas may no longer has a DEI division, However, it still has its Walton-funded Department of Education Reform.
University of Arkansas to dissolve Division of DEI; staff to transfer to other departments https://www.nwahomepage.com/university-of-arkansas-news/university-of-arkansas-to-dissolve-division-of-dei-staff-to-transfer-to-other-departments/
