During a March 7 meeting, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors voted unanimously to dissolve the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and its Center for Community Partnerships. The two-page resolution cites both a January 21 Trump executive order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” and communication from the U.S. Department of Education as contributors in the decision.
The resolution also directs UVA to “immediately transfer permissible programs to a new organizational home,” and indicates that “legally permissible research and activities should proceed as normal.”
The final line of the resolution calls for UVA President Jim Ryan to update the BOV on compliance within 30 days. While the resolution’s language demands the immediate dissolution of the university’s DEI office—which houses the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, Title IX compliance, the UVA Tribal Liaison, and the university’s Center for Community Partnerships—the future of numerous employees and programs remains uncertain.
“In accordance with the resolution, the administration will review the functions of the office, and all personnel and programs that are permissible under state and federal law will be transferred within the University, within 30 days. We will provide additional information as those efforts proceed,” shared a university spokesperson in a comment over email. “As the resolution, which was approved unanimously, states, the ‘University of Virginia highly values diversity, including diversity of thought and experience, and fosters an inclusive environment, encouraging a culture of opportunity for all’ and those values will guide this process going forward.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin applauded the decision in a press release the same day. “The Board of Visitors voted for common sense, saying ‘no’ to illegal discrimination and ‘yes’ to merit-based opportunity,” he said. “DEI is done at the University of Virginia. We stand for the universal truth that everyone is created equal, and opportunity is at the heart of Virginians’ and Americans’ future.”—Catie Ratliff
UVA President Jim Ryan will update the Board of Visitors by April 6 on compliance with the resolution to dissolve the Office of DEI and Community Partnerships. Photo via UVA Communications.
Meningitis death
First-year UVA student Nicolas “Nico” Ramos-Esteban died from a severe case of bacterial meningitis at the University of Virginia Medical Center on March 7.
According to a fundraiser organized by fraternity Phi Kappa Psi, Ramos-Esteban battled the disease for a week prior to his death. “At UVA and beyond, Nico was known for his kindness, generosity, happy-go-lucky spirit, and dedication to others,” reads the GoFundMe.
At press time, more than $92,000 has been raised for Ramos-Esteban’s family.
Community members were alerted about the case of meningococcal disease on March 2. UVA’s Department of Student Health and Wellness shared information about the disease, and offered a meningococcal vaccine clinic on March 5. While he was not identified in the alerts, known close contacts of Esteban-Ramos were notified by Student Health with additional instructions. Anyone experiencing symptoms of meningitis—sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and rash—were told to contact SHW immediately.
Students are currently on spring break, and, at press time, UVA has reported no additional cases of meningitis.
