Following other colleges in the state, Virginia Tech is prepared to dissolve its inclusion office amid a broader review of diversity and equity efforts, according to university documents.
A group of concerned alumni are urging university leadership to preserve the school’s commitment to its principles in the face of federal pressure.
A resolution “regarding the presidential executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” is listed on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors’ agenda for its meeting next week.
If the Tech board votes to approve the measure, it lays out a plan of action in response to an executive order by President Donald Trump titled ‘.’
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“The university’s Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence is hereby dissolved,” the proposed resolution reads. “The university shall immediately transfer permissible programs to a new organizational home.”
Additionally, the university will take action “to ensure that all university programs, policies and actions” comply with federal civil rights laws, the resolutions reads.
Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands, center, visits with a group of faculty and staff in September 2014. Sands at the time had created the President’s Inclusion and Diversity Executive Council to monitor the progress of diversity at the university. Now the university is poised to eliminate its Office of Inclusive Strategy and Excellence.
“This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life,” the resolution reads.
The resolution says Virginia Tech “highly values diversity.” It also says “state law obligations … do not require a standalone office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”
There was no indication in the board’s documents if the dissolution of the office will eliminate any jobs.
Virginia Tech spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. This move falls in line with actions taken by University of Virginia to dissolve its diversity office earlier in March.
A group called Concerned Alumni of Virginia Tech said in a news release Wednesday that more than 250 people signed a letter urging the school to uphold its diversity efforts.
“These principles ensure that every student — regardless of background, identity, or ability — has access to opportunities, resources, and a supportive community that affirms their experiences and contributions,” the letter reads. “Rather than using the acronym ‘DEI’ as a divisive or weaponized term, it is important to unpack what these values truly mean — creating a campus where fairness, opportunity, and respect are extended to everyone.”
The university Board of Visitors meets Monday and Tuesday.
Also on the agenda next week are student cost increases. There is a planned educational and general fee increase between 0-2.9%, and a recommended increase of up to $186 for non-education fees “to support mandated cost increases” including support for college sports, employee pay and student services.
The board of visitors also wishes to rescind its actions from November 2022, when it approved plans for a Student Life Village to replace Slusher Hall, according to proposed action. A resolution calls to cease all planning and expenditure of funds on the Student Life Village.
“Slusher Hall will not be demolished but instead will be renovated,” the resolution reads.
