After facing Republican-led Wisconsin state legislation regarding salary increases and the construction of a new engineering building, the University of Wisconsin has agreed to freeze all new hires related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and make other changes to its diversity initiatives – the latest example of how national cultural wars are influencing decisions at American educational institutions.
Key Facts
From 2022 to 2026, the university system will not increase the number of positions serving diversity, equity, and inclusion roles, and over the next two years will reallocate at least 33% of diversity staff to focus on academic and student success, according to a decision made by the university on Friday.
Agreement and University Commitments
Under the agreement, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will commit to seeking philanthropic support to create a new position focused on “conservative political thought or classical economic theory or classical liberalism.”
The university also agreed to support legislation that provides automatic admission for Wisconsin high school students to the University of Wisconsin-Madison if they are in the top 5% of academic performance in the state, or to any other university in the system if they are in the top 10% of their class.
Diversity data will also be removed from student admissions applications.
Negotiation and Agreement Reached
Legislation is expected to approve allocation of about $800 million to the university system for stalled employee salary increases and for the construction of a new engineering building, which has been blocked by Republican-led state legislation for several months.
Key Quote
“I assure you we are fully committed to diversity, equity, and belonging,” said university chancellor Jennifer Mnookin in a message to the university on Friday. “This agreement, if it proceeds, does not diminish or retreat from that commitment.”
Background
Debates in educational institutions and among Republican politicians across the country revolve around diversity initiatives, classroom instructional content, and other contentious national political issues. Earlier this year, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the proposed African American studies course in college for including curricula on Black Lives Matter and other topics often opposed by Republicans. The organization then faced backlash from Black scholars when it modified the framework, but it denied that policy played a role in its decision. Florida also enacted the “Stop WOKE Act,” aimed at regulating how topics like race, diversity, and racism are taught in schools and workplaces. This law is currently the subject of a legal battle. The Associated Press reported that Republicans nationally have already introduced over 30 bills this year targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education. Colleges have also been forced to reassess their programs and admissions since the Supreme Court ruled in June that considering race for student admissions is unconstitutional, challenging longstanding affirmative action protocols across the country. The crisis in Wisconsin began in June when state Republicans withheld university funding, and Vos proposed cutting approximately $32 million in funding for diversity initiatives.
What to Watch For
The final agreement still needs approval from the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents and Republican-led legislation, but it will also come before Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who can either sign it or veto it. In an interview with local WISN-TV, Evers stated he believes withholding salaries from UW faculty is “unacceptable” and “really troubling.” Board members are scheduled to vote on Saturday.
Critics
Main
Before the announcement of the agreement, the state’s Black Legislative Assembly issued a statement saying they were “included and ashamed” of the negotiations. “We ask the question, who was at the table negotiating on behalf of our Black students and staff on campus? Who decided to value our students and staff of color by putting a price on their inclusion in our campus?”
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