Today, ETSU President, Dr. Brian Noland, issued a memo regarding the future of the Pride Center, Women and Gender Resource Center, and Multicultural Center on campus. The memo reads:

This week, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting public universities and other state government entities from housing offices or units focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion or “DEI.”  Furthermore, throughout the spring semester, numerous federal policy directives were issued to all universities across the country banning institutions from providing any programs or services that are available to only certain races, ethnicities, or identity groups.

In anticipation of the changes occurring in the state and federal policy landscape, leaders including faculty, staff, and students from across the institution have been working for several months on a strategy to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while enhancing student services and ensuring ongoing support for student success. As a result of this group’s work, a plan has been developed to include the following changes:  

The Office of Equity and Inclusion will sunset operations. 
A newly envisioned “Mary V. Jordan Center,” focused on supporting the lifelong success of all students will launch this coming fall. The center will serve as a “front door” for student services and be a dynamic new hub expanding programming to include dedicated support for low-income and first-generation students.
Educational programming related to cultural awareness and competency currently provided by the Multicultural Center will transition to the Carrier Center to ensure it is more closely aligned with the university’s overarching student life and engagement programs and more fully integrated within the entire campus community.
The Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center and the Women and Gender Resource Center will be reimagined within a new “Dr. Patricia Robertson Center,” which will provide services for students focused on supporting holistic wellbeing and community connections.  
More information on the Jordan and Robertson centers will be provided in the coming weeks. It is important to note that no staff positions are being eliminated as a result of this process; however, some individuals’ job duties will shift. While the manner in which we provide services and support may be changing, I would like to reaffirm that our values remain the same. ETSU is a place where all people should be welcomed, treated with dignity and respect, and given every opportunity to succeed.  

I understand that changes such as these are likely to be difficult for many on our campus. I would like to reassure our campus community that we remain firmly committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff during this transition. As always, resources are available to help students and employees who may be struggling. I also urge each of you to consider ways you might serve as a source of support and encouragement for one another as we enter the last weeks of a busy and eventful semester. The emotions and stressors that come with the end of the academic year are inevitable, but each of us can make the choice to act with the kindness and civility for which the ETSU community is known. Throughout this process, our focus will continue to be providing the best possible support and experience for the students we serve. Thank you for all you do.  

Brian Noland
President

This memo comes after a week of silence from the university. ETSU students, alumni, and concerned community members will continue to speak out against the erasure of DEI offices and services. As Tennessee legislators continue to push cuts to DEI services, we must come together to ensure a diverse and inclusive community for all. 

During the News Channel at 6 broadcasts tonight, WJHL included this petition as well as statements from students in their segment about the memo from ETSU. The article and video can be found here: wjhl.com/news/local/etsu-to-close-dei-office-no-position-cuts-to-occur/ 

Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared this petition! It is so amazing and heartwarming to see so many people standing together to protect these vital centers on campus. Your support is exactly the kind of love and community we need in the world right now. 

Best,

Evie Malone