Gov. Patrick Morrisey recently praised West Virginia University for its decision to shutter its Division of Development, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) after he enacted an executive order to basically eliminate any state program with “diversity†in the name.
Morrisey obviously has no idea what the DEI division at WVU actually did, or he wouldn’t be celebrating. The decision also is another self-inflicted wound for WVU, which continues to slash staff and programs as enrollment falls, further diminishing what is supposed to be the state’s flagship university.
Although DEI has become a catchall for right-wing culture war antics, actual DEI programs provide vital services for those who are at a disadvantage because of their circumstances. The DEI division at WVU was a resource hub for students regarding programs like Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Youth Protection and the Civil Rights Act, all things that have been in effect for decades. WVU’s Division of DEI also connected students with therapy dogs, sponsored programs to help stop sexual assault and provided access to programs normally not available to minority groups or the less fortunate. The DEI division also played a role in making sure WVU was in compliance with federal regulations regarding disabilities and civil rights, among others.
The governor shouldn’t see this as a victory, but a terrible unintended consequence of a poorly thought-out executive order issued to make Morrisey look like he’s owning the libs. Those with disabilities still need access to buildings. And there are probably plenty of people with disabilities who vote Republican.
As for WVU, the result is a bit nebulous. The school still needs to stay in compliance with federal law and also offer programs similar to those offered by the DEI division. The school announced that it would replace the DEI division with a new department called the Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance. If statements from university officials are to be believed, it seems to be roughly the same thing under a different name. But the issue is far from settled. Some educators and administrators could lose their jobs, and students could lose access to valuable resources and meaningful programs.
How it all plays out remains to be seen. For now, WVU has to try to figure this out, in terms of complying with Morrisey’s short-sighted executive order.
