Hodges Hall, home of the Department of World Languages, Literatures & Linguistics at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. (Aidan Cornue | West Virginia Watch)
West Virginia University and Marshall University are reviewing their diversity policies following Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s order that bans DEI at entities receiving state funding.
Morrisey issued several executive orders on Tuesday, including “ordering the cessation of DEI.” The “diversity, equity and inclusion” policies are aimed at promoting equality in government and workplaces.
He requires that state agencies cease implementing any DEI initiatives. The Republican governor believes the policies can give “inappropriate preference” for race, sex, national origin and more. The policies have been “used and manipulated in the past,” he said.
“We’re also going to ensure that any state money, that we’re not spending money or dollars that flow from hard-earned taxpayer dollars for DEI purposes,” Morrisey said on his second day as governor. “And so our entire administration will be looking to rip that out.”
West Virginia’s colleges and universities receive a mixture of state funding along with federal dollars, grants and donations.
WVU has a Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which “exists because WVU is always striving to create the safe, diverse, welcoming community we all deserve.”
April Kaull, communications director for WVU, said that some of the university’s existing accreditation and professional licensure standards include DEI requirements.
“We’re currently reviewing the executive order with members of our campus community. We’ll have a better understanding once the review is completed,” she said. “Most of the work in this area is by a focused group of employees for federal compliance of the Americans with Disability Act and Title IX. We do not use any state dollars to comply with federal DEI requirements.”
DEI policies exist in WVU’s athletics department, honors college and more, MetroNews reported.
Del. John Williams, D-Mononglia, a WVU graduate, said he saw firsthand how the university’s DEI policies promoted a more welcoming campus.
“Never as a white student did I feel threatened or attacked because there was an office dedicated to ensuring that everyone was given a fair shake,” he said. “Making the elimination of DEI a priority right out of the gate is demonstrative of this being a ‘boogeyman’ issue like my colleague, Minority Leader [Sean] Hornbuckle has previously stated.”
“I’m sure that programs for DEI aren’t perfect, but let’s work on them and not just summarily eliminate them,” William added.
Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, said she had worked with Maesha Poore, vice president of WVU’s Office Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“Her work to support the students of WVU has been phenomenal. They have navigated turbulent circumstances and provided support to our students that can not go unnoticed,” said Hamilton, who holds multiple degrees from WVU. “It’s such a shame that the new governor of West Virginia doesn’t take value in regulations that make the playing field equal … This is such an administrational travesty.”
Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said lawmakers who represent the Morgantown area and nearby met with WVU President E. Gordon Gee and his governor relations team on Wednesday.
“We discussed many topics including the DEI issues,” he said. “Historically, WVU has had a very small budget when it comes to DEI issues and will use those dollars to add greater focus on services for students with disabilities, minority students and students with special needs going forward.”
Morrisey said he wanted to give entities time to comply with his executive order.
Marshall University is also reviewing its DEI policies, which sought to promote the university’s creed to “embrace and promote diversity on campus and in the Huntington community.
“Marshall government relations and legal teams are reviewing the executive orders to ensure compliance,” said Leah Payne, Marshall University’s director of communications.
Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, is a Marshall graduate. He questioned what was wrong with having a diverse staff throughout the state, noting 97% of Fortune 500 companies have some component of DEI “because it makes money and grows the bottom line.”
“I think it’s a good thing if we were to promote equitable opportunities for those living in rural or other disadvantaged communities as their friends across town,” he said. “Inclusion is literally making sure every West Virginian has a seat at the table, much like how our Legislature was designed to include everyone from every city, town and holler to give their input. That’s what DEI is, not this fictional boogeyman to scare people for votes and sow hatred amongst our neighbors.”
The state funding jeopardy comes as nearly every university in the state has grappled with budget issues sparked by rising state insurance costs and declining student enrollment. WVU’s Board of Governors in 2023 cut 28 academic majors, and the university axed around 300 jobs, in part, because of its budget crunch.
Smaller state universities contacted for this story did not provide a comment.
Jessica Tice, senior director of communications at the Higher Education Policy Commission said, “We are currently working with all public colleges and universities in the state to compile and review information outlined in the executive orders and to comply with Gov. Morrisey’s directives.”
Ninety-two percent of West Virginia’s population is white and around 4% of residents are Black, according to the U.S. Census.
“West Virginia is 3.6% African American, and their focus is on DEI when this state is last in the nation in education and highest in obesity, heart disease, and opioid use, to name a few,” Hamilton said. “Once again, we waste our time and taxpayers’ dollars on agendas that ride a discriminatory wave in practice and do absolutely nothing to move our state forward.”
Morrisey’s executive order on DEI said that the U.S. and state Constitutions already guarantee safeguards and equal protections to residents, and that DEI policies contradict those constitutional requirements.
The order said that entities receiving state funds may not be permitted to mandate DEI training or education.
The national free speech organization FIRE said Morrisey’s DEI ban is too broad and could face a legal challenge. The organization argued that it could have a “chilling effect on classroom discussions” in higher education.
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