The University of Alaska Board of Regents directed President Pat Pitney on Friday to take all necessary actions to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders to end the discriminatory practice known as “diversity, equity, inclusion.” Failure to do so may risk federal funding.
In a motion that passed almost unanimously by the board, which was meeting in Kenai, the regents gave guidance to Pitney to ensure the university is not discriminating. The motion says that Pitney should direct the chancellors of the campuses to review and amend their campus policies, and ensure their websites, electronic, and printed material and other communications no longer refer to “affirmative action,” “DEI,” or utilize the words “diversity, equity, inclusion,” or other associated words that describe the discriminatory practices that were emphasized during the Biden Administration. Anyone with those words in their job titles must have those job titles and work portfolio changed.
In place of those words, the university must communicate that it is fair, and provides equal access and equal opportunity for all, the motion states.
Only the student regent, Albiona Selimi, voted against the motion. She majors in political science with minors in justice and women’s studies.