The University of Alaska will strip language referring to “affirmative action,” diversity, equity, inclusion and “other associated terms” from policies, programs, activities, job titles and others — with a stated goal of promoting “equal opportunity and equal access for everyone.”
The move came during the second day of a Board of Regents meeting at Kenai Peninsula College, after members of the board and University of Alaska President Pat Pitney met in a closed room during a lunch break. It also followed calls from university governance councils and chancellors to provide leadership in the face of the federal government’s attacks on programs and policies that promote diversity or inclusivity.
A motion read into the record by member Seth Church says that the board “reaffirms its dedication to being an inclusive, non-discriminatory institution” while in the same breath directing Pitney to “take all necessary actions to comply with recent federal executive orders.”
The university will “review and assess” programs and operations at all of its campuses and “make changes as necessary” to comply with “laws, regulations, orders and guidance,” Church read. The motion was not included in the group’s agenda or published before enactment.
Specifically, the university will “no longer refer to affirmative action, DEI, nor utilize the words diversity, equity, inclusion or other associated terms.”
Only Albiona Selimi, the student regent, voted in opposition to the motion. There was no discussion from members on the motion.
Chair Ralph Seekins twice defended the move as being about combating what he perceives as discrimination against people who don’t fall into minority groups. He said he didn’t want to see discrimination levied against any of the university’s people.
“We’re asking this university to be a welcoming, open-access university,” he said. “With discrimination towards none and opportunity for all.”
Board of Regents Policy enacted in 2017 and still in effect reads that the university is “committed” to recruit and retain women and minorities “in positions where they have been traditionally under-represented.” That policy says also that people will be hired, trained and promoted based on their qualifications and ability.
“Embracing diversity and inclusion” was among the central tenets of the University of Alaska Anchorage 2027 Strategic Plan for the future of the college — which includes local KPC. The defined goal is to ensure that student, faculty and staff populations “reflect the diverse makeup of our home communities,” to ensure all feel welcome and are encouraged to thrive, and to create belonging and ownership at the college for “historically marginalized groups.”
The board was clear during the meeting that they were responding to pressure from the federal government — specifically executive orders by U.S. President Donald Trump that targeted federal funding for organizations with policies that include what he calls “DEI.”
Only minutes after the board voted, reporting began to be published by the Washington Post and others that a Maryland judge had granted an injunction against enforcement of that order.
University leaders during the first day of the meeting had called on the board to reaffirm their commitment to a diverse staff and student body.
“We’ve been watching with increasing alarm as the federal government has obliterated diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility — what we see as respect for equal rights,” Faculty Alliance Chair Jennie Carroll said. “Those policies can be open for debate, but the principles are not open for debate, especially for education.”
For the university to continue growing, she said, it needs to maintain its commitment to its diverse student body and to all Alaskans.
“At UA, DEI isn’t a program,” said Monique Musick, vice chair of the staff alliance. “It is one of our core principles.”
The university, she said, must retain its support for all of its students, faculty and staff, “regardless of race, religion, sexual or gender identification.” It also must continue to honor and recognize Alaska’s Indigenous people.
UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell called on the board to reaffirm the university’s values. The former Alaska governor said that as the leader of his college, his job is to ensure that his employees have a space to work so they can focus on their jobs — and the uncertainty is proving an obstacle.
He asked them to act to communicate that every student and employee matters — “that they’re worthy of dignity and respect.”
“They need to hear it,” he said.
After the board made their decision on the second day, some of those same leaders railed against the motion, while acknowledging the pressure coming from the federal government.
“I do truly believe you did the best that you thought you could do,” Carroll said. “I am concerned what this will do, especially to our student body but also to our faculty and staff.”
Musick said the university will spend months defining what “other associated terms” means and working to scrub diversity, equity and inclusion “from our jobs, from our research, from our clubs, from our activities.”
“Where does this end?” she asked. “It did send a message, I’m not entirely sure it was the one you intended.”
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
