Diversity

The bill would ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies related to hiring and programming, while creating ways for parents to complain about violations to the DEI ban.

L'Oreal Stepney got emotional Thursday during a tense exchange with Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) over considerations of diversity equity and inclusion in the board’s hiring practices.

The actions range from campaign priorities like border security to culture war issues like DEI policies.

Marcus Myers was the linebacker for the 2005 Longhorn championship team and now works in diversity, equity and inclusion at a tech company.

The Legislature banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities but the prohibition was not supposed to affect academics. Now, Republicans are suggesting DEI-related content in classrooms is hindering efforts to prepare students for the workforce.

Texas senators got an update from universities on steps they are taking to comply with a new state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs on their campuses. Lawmakers also heard testimony on free speech in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests.

Latinx students at UT Austin raised more than $8,000 to be able to put on the bilingual graduation ceremony. Families traveled from all over Texas to hear the students' names read in Spanish as they crossed the stage.

Jay Hartzell first announced the layoffs in an April 2 email that did not include the number of positions being eliminated.

Students have asked President Jay Hartzell and Republican state Sen. Brandon Creighton to participate in a student-led town hall on April 19 in response to the implementation of the state's new anti-DEI law.

Senate Bill 17, which bans Texas public universities from having DEI programs and trainings, went into effect Jan. 1. Since then, UT Austin has renamed, reorganized or eliminated several university organizations. Now it's cutting jobs.