The University of Alaska Board of Regents has voted to comply with recent executive orders by President Donald Trump, including removing the words “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “DEI” and “affirmative action” from university websites, publications, job titles and office names.
“We don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying that everyone at the university, faculty, staff, students, has equal opportunity, and is free from discrimination,” said Board Chair Ralph Seekins in a phone interview Feb. 26 explaining the action.
The regents voted 9-1 to approve the motion on Feb. 21. It directs all university programs and operations to comply with federal “nondiscrimination” laws and orders.
The language includes a section directing university leaders to make changes that “the system and universities’ position titles and office titles no longer refer to ‘affirmative action,’ ‘DEI’ nor utilize the words ‘diversity,’ ‘equity,’ ‘inclusion’ or other associated terms.”
The motion also commits to “equal opportunity and equal access for everyone,” and “maintaining a welcoming environment and honoring Alaska Native heritage and cultures.”
Seekins said the regents took into account the “football field” of federal actions, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling ending affirmative action in university admissions, Trump’s executive order terminating “DEI” initiatives in the executive branch, and a recent communication, known as the “Dear Colleague letter,” from the U.S. Department of Education, which threatens institutions failing to comply with federal orders with potential federal funding loss.
“What do we do to make sure that we don’t fall into a trap where it threatens the families that work here in our federal contracting system?” Seekins said, citing the almost 20% of university funding coming from federal sources. “The effect on the families if we don’t comply with some of this, could be horrendous.”
Seekins defended the action to remove DEI language as committing to “equal opportunity” for everyone. “If it gives preference to someone, then it’s discriminating against someone else,” he said.
Student Regent Albiona Selimi, an undergraduate political science student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, was the sole no vote on the motion.
Selimi said the decision will send a message to the university community that will make marginalized students feel not only isolated but targeted.
Outrage and concern at the regents’ vote quickly spread across social media, as students, faculty and lawmakers reacted to the news.
“We were stunned and dismayed,” said Jill Dumesnil, professor of mathematics at the University of Alaska Southeast and president of the largest faculty union, United Academics. “This is having a chilling effect on both academic freedom and freedom of speech.”
University spokesperson Jonathon Taylor responded by email Feb. 25 that they are still evaluating the potential impact to programs. “We don’t believe any of our programs or other activities related to Alaska Native or Indigenous people will be impacted.”
Matt Calhoun, executive director of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, responded by email Feb. 25 that the award-winning academic program supporting largely Alaska Native and rural students would continue.
But the program had already changed language on the website, scrubbing reference to “Alaska Native,” before the regents’ vote, Alaska Public Media reported.
The Alaska Beacon is an independent, donor-funded news organization. Alaskabeacon.com.
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