AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin is letting employees and students know how it will comply with a new state law that outlaws diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices.
Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17 into law earlier this year. In addition to banning DEI offices, it also requires public institutions to limit the mention of DEI and support for DEI initiatives. Institutions must be in compliance by Jan. 1.
According to an internal document titled "Guidance Tool for SB 17 Compliance," obtained by KVUE's news partners at the Austin American-Statesman, the university has outlined three phases to comply with the law.
Phase 1 included identifying positions and departments with "diversity," "equity" or "inclusion" in their names or titles, then deciding if they promote special treatment based on race, color or ethnicity.
Phase 2 gets into how the university will reorganize, implement or stop programs based on the law. This includes withdrawing sponsorship and funding to programs and student groups that concern diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
In Phase 3, the university must be sent a certification form by Jan. 15 and all adjustments must be completed before Jan. 1, when the new law goes into effect.
To learn more, read the Statesman's full report.