The University of Tennessee is continuing to push diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts despite no longer operating a formal DEI office, according to a recent report by the Daily Wire.
Casey A. Barrio Minton, Professor and Department Head of Counselor Education, acknowledged in a video that the university’s current “Access and Engagement” office is essentially a continuation of the former “Diversity and Inclusion” office under a different name. Barrio Minton explained that the office isn’t “a whole lot different” and admitted it practices DEI and does “many of the same things” as the old office.
“I haven’t noticed a big shift in the programming. I haven’t noticed a big shift of climate on campus beyond trying to ride the waves,” Barrio Minton said.
The admission comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January aimed at dismantling DEI policies across the federal government and institutions receiving federal funds. The order declared such programs “illegal” and said the administration would prioritize “individual initiative, excellence, and hard work.”
Barrio Minton insisted that the university’s efforts are still in compliance with federal law.
“The law essentially says you can’t force DEI training on staff or whatnot. And they also say no student shall be penalized for their failure to subscribe to any of these beliefs, right?” Barrio Minton argued. “So, some people took that to mean you can’t teach about racism or systemic oppression or privilege. That was the interpretation. That’s not what the law says.”
“The university has been very clear to us: the law says we don’t punish people based on their beliefs, but we don’t punish people. We educate,” she added.
Barrio Minton also indicated she was not concerned about potential consequences from the federal government due to Tennessee being a right-wing state, arguing the administration has largely focused its attention on universities in blue states.
As an example of ongoing DEI initiatives, Barrio Minton pointed to the establishment of single-stall, “all-inclusive restrooms” branded as “All Vol” restrooms, in reference to the university’s mascot, the Volunteers.
“We had a number of trans students, so there became an initiative to convert a small restroom to be an ‘All Vol’ restroom,” she said.
In response to the video, University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd issued a statement to the Daily Wire, saying, “The purpose of access and engagement is to support academic access, foster community partnerships and promote merit-based student success. These efforts are directly aligned with our System’s Statement of Aspirations, which commits us to removing barriers to educational opportunity and ensuring every Tennessean has the chance to succeed.”
“Let me be clear: access and engagement is not DEI in disguise. All our work must and will remain fully compliant with state and federal law,” Boyd added. He also announced a review of the Access and Engagement Office’s “activities across the UT system.”
