Sunset hues color the sky and the snow at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Feb. 26, 2024. Seen in the background is the Joseph E. Usibelli Engineering Building. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The University of Alaska Board of Regents passed a motion on Feb. 21 to gut the university ’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Regents Dale Anderson, Seth Church, Steve Colligan, Joey Crum, Paul Harris, Scott Jepsen, Dennis Michel, Christine Resler and Ralph Seekins voted in favor of it. Regent Albiona Selimi was the only member of the board to show humanity, compassion and a moral compass by voting no.
With this motion, the board of regents is attempting to destroy the very essence of what we are as a public university while being guided by political ideology.
My parents were born during World War II under German occupation. I would not be here if my grandparents had not protected my parents. I would not have known my grandfather if my grandmother had not delayed the Nazis at the front door of their small family farm so my grandfather was able to run across their fields in the back and escape in the woods. The Nazis were rounding up village males that day for execution in retaliation for attacks by the Dutch Resistance. Elon Musk’s sieg heils are unpleasant reminders of this very dark time in world history.
The board motion and its directives are unconstitutional and violate our First and Fifth Amendment rights.
The relevant executive orders and guidance they refer to in order to justify their illegal actions are under temporary restraining orders because federal judges believe them to be illegal and unconstitutional.
The board of regents therefore violated the U.S. Constitution and anyone at the University of Alaska who executes their directives would also be violating our Constitution.
The board stated that it “reaffirms its dedication to being an inclusive, nondiscriminatory institution, committed to offering equal opportunity and access for all individuals,” but this is in direct conflict with the content of the motion to scrub DEI from public university records.
The board also stated, “We also reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment and honoring Alaska Native culture and heritage” in an attempt to placate an important segment of our students and university employees. This is disrespectful and disingenuous at best.
I do not see how the regents who voted yes can remain on the board and have any credibility left.
If they were to resign now, at least the students and employees of the University of Alaska would know that they took responsibility for their irresponsible actions and that they have a modicum of decency left.
If they remain on the board of regents, they will forever be known as the ones who violated the U.S. Constitution and were responsible for the demise of the University of Alaska as we know it.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.