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EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has commended the recent wave of decisions by several Virginia colleges to dismantle their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This shift follows a national directive from former President Donald Trump aimed at curtailing such programs.
“Discriminatory DEI policies are being dismantled across Virginia’s colleges and universities,” Youngkin stated to Fox News Digital.
The governor characterized these actions as a triumph for civil rights, asserting that prioritizing merit over race-based initiatives serves students and faculty at Virginia’s esteemed educational institutions.
Following Youngkin’s remarks, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia’s community college system, Longwood University, and Radford University all announced or passed resolutions to end their DEI policies.
This trend began with the University of Virginia, often regarded as Virginia’s flagship university, which made headlines on March 7 by abolishing its DEI office along with its satellite campus, UVA-Wise.
Youngkin has emerged as a prominent figure among governors advocating for the elimination of DEI practices. Sources close to the governor suggest that his influence will leave a lasting impact on Virginia’s educational landscape, especially concerning the appointments he made to various college governance boards before his term concludes in January.
In a conversation with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Youngkin proudly remarked that Virginia leads in terminating illegal discrimination while reaffirming merit-based principles. Emphasizing his commitment to education, he referred to proper schooling as the foundation of achieving the American dream.
Anticipated Changes at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech, recognized as the commonwealth’s flagship land-grant university, is scheduled to vote on a resolution to eliminate its DEI department early this week.
With a decision expected at Tuesday’s board meeting, the change reflects a larger movement within the state’s education system. The resolution would ensure that the university remains an open-admission institution, committed to providing opportunities that enhance community resilience.
In a resolution, VCU explained its dedication to giving all individuals the chance to gain skills and knowledge necessary for personal and community growth. Consequently, the school is terminating any programs that conflict with federal civil rights protections across its 23 campuses.
Decisions Bringing Mixed Reactions
Longwood University has also opted to abolish DEI initiatives while thwarting third-party efforts to bypass the new regulations. While the VCU Board of Visitors supported the resolution to disband its Division of Inclusive Excellence, the vote was not without dissent.
Two members appointed by former Governor Terry McAuliffe opposed the decision, voting alongside Youngkin’s appointees against the measure.
The upcoming board meeting at Virginia Tech is set for 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Some critics are urging for greater transparency regarding the proceedings, arguing the importance of public engagement in such pivotal decisions.
Pending changes to the DEI infrastructure will result in program transfers to new organizational units, as outlined in the resolution reported by local media.
The alumni of Virginia Tech have expressed concern over these developments, emphasizing that students of future generations may miss out on opportunities that previous alumni enjoyed. They are calling for town hall meetings to facilitate discussions with university administrators regarding these changes.
Voices of Concern from Alumni
Dr. Tekisha Dwan Everette, a vice president at the Trust for America’s Health organization and a Virginia Tech alum, conveyed her disappointment with the direction the university is taking. She criticized the tactics employed to challenge the institution’s commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environment.
A petition opposing the DEI phase-out is set to be delivered to Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands. The document underscores the importance of DEI programs, asserting that they are critical for creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.
Multiple institutions, including Christopher Newport University, College of William & Mary, University of Mary Washington, James Madison University, and George Mason University, are poised to conduct board meetings in the upcoming month, all of which may revisit their DEI policies.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Virginia Tech for further comments regarding these changes.
The Bigger Picture in Virginia’s Higher Education
This wave of change sweeping through Virginia colleges not only reflects Youngkin’s political agenda but also aligns with a national trend aimed at reassessing the role of DEI initiatives in educational institutions. As more universities contemplate the re-evaluation of their DEI programs, the implications for student success, university culture, and community engagement remain to be seen.
Whether these transitions will lead to improved educational outcomes or increased inequities is a topic of significant debate. As the higher education landscape evolves in Virginia, students, alumni, and faculty alike will be observing closely the implications of these critical decisions.
