Oregon university to end 2 DEI programs this fall

Oregon State University

plans to end two

diversity, equity and inclusion

programs this fall.

But university representatives have declined to elaborate on the decisions and said the spirit of the programs — which have been housed in the university’s human resources department — will carry on in other forms.

The Search Advocate Program began in 2008 and trained faculty, staff and students to help hiring committees limit bias and promote inclusion in hiring searches. University spokesperson Rob Odom said the university will now expect all search committee members to “take an active role in mitigating bias in recruitment and hiring.”

The Social Justice Education Initiative started in 2016 and provided professional development to faculty and staff around social justice and equity. Odom said over time the university’s “efforts to build employee awareness and skill in these areas have significantly expanded.” He noted that other programs at the university promote similar educational opportunities.

Misty Edgecomb, a spokesperson for the university, declined to comment in an email on whether any layoffs would occur as a result of the end of the programs or whether pressure from the federal government played a role in Oregon State’s decisions.

Some colleges across the country have ended such programs in response to the Trump administration’s threats to cut federal funding to schools with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Odom said the two programs will sunset later this year as the university “evolves and matures its efforts to advance inclusive excellence.”

“Oregon State University remains committed to our foundational values of removing barriers to student access and success and ensuring every OSU student and employee is valued for their diverse lived experiences,” Odom said in a statement. “OSU’s work to put these values into practice spans the entire organization and every college.”

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