Diversity

Marcus Myers former UT football player and D.E.I. leader.

UT football champ creates a welcoming space for Black tech workers in Austin

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

A person with a graduation cap in a crowd holds up a sign that says, "DEI and free speech matters. Shame on you Hartzell."

Education

Texas lawmakers signal plans to expand DEI ban into college classrooms

Becky Fogel

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.

Education

Are public universities doing enough to comply with Texas’ DEI ban? Lawmakers will decide.

Becky Fogel

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.

Andrew Jaso waits in line to walk across the state during the 2024 Latinx graduation ceremony. For months, students weren't sure if they would get to have the only ceremony because funding for it was cut after the implementation of Senate Bill 17. UT graduate waiting in line to walk across the stage during the UT Latinx graduation ceremony on May 9, 2024. Patricia Lim/KUT News

Education

UT cut funding for a Latinx grad ceremony. Students raised money to have one anyway.

Greta Díaz González Vázquez

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.

UT Austin's tower is part of the campus' main building. Here is is seen from below against a bright blue sky with trees surrounding it.

Education

UT Austin says it laid off nearly 60 people on April 2. Most came in response to Texas' anti-DEI law

Becky Fogel

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

A metal pole is covered in stickers and a neon green sticky note that reads "Not Our Texas."

Education

UT Austin students want answers on the DEI-related layoffs of at least 66 employees

Becky Fogel

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.

People walking around and on steps at a college campus in front of a tower

Education

UT Austin lays off around 60 staffers to comply with Texas DEI ban

Chelsey Zhu

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.

People sit at tables with laptops facing a screen that says, "How are we all feeling about the DEI ban?" with a QR code

Education

Students accuse UT Austin of 'over-implementing' state ban on diversity, equity and inclusion

Angela Lim

They say certain groups were not given the opportunity to make adjustments to comply with the new law. Because they are no longer sponsored by UT, they no longer receive financial support.

Kathleen McElroy stands in front of rows of crowded bookshelves.

Education

Texas A&M recruited a UT journalism professor, then watered down the offer after 'DEI hysteria'

The university celebrated its decision to hire Kathleen McElroy to revive its journalism program. She says she’s staying at UT after she felt judged because of her gender.

A student walks in front of UT Austin's tower in the fall.

Education

Students organize to protest legislative efforts to ban DEI initiatives at Texas colleges

A House panel on Thursday advanced a budget bill that would prohibit colleges and universities from using state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Members of Texas Students for DEI say they'll work to defend these practices.