Report: UT Austin abruptly ends fellowship due to state law limiting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

This blog is originally appeared at KVUE ABC.

Senate Bill 17 places restrictions on initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within state public institutions.

A Texas statute scheduled for implementation on January 1 is impacting employment positions at public universities, including the University of Texas at Austin.

As per information from our media associates at the Austin American-Statesman, 14 fellows at UT will be without employment at the university due to Senate Bill 17, a recent law restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at state public institutions.

The law mandates that these institutions cease any unequal treatment or “special privileges” based on race or ethnicity, along with programs “conceived or executed in relation to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”

Typically spanning one year, the Public Voices Fellowship offers fellows mentorship and research training. This fellowship is affiliated with The OpEd Project, a nationwide initiative with the goal of diversifying and altering the narrative by influencing those who contribute to historical writings.

The University of Texas (UT) was among the 35 collaborators of the fellowship, and notably one of the few public universities participating.

As per The Statesman, the fellowship was inclusive but specifically focused on elevating voices that are underrepresented, particularly those of women and people of color.

UT has initiated the internal dissemination of guidelines outlining its approach to adhering to SB 17. However, comprehensive public guidance from the university is still pending release.