Missouri State University leaders announced Wednesday that their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs have ended. University President Richard “Biff” Williams says state lawmakers and the governor made it clear that those programs would not be funded.

“This has not just happened this year, but this is as we evaluated things, 38 percent of our budget, it comes from the state, and the state has said that they’re not going to fund DEI initiatives,” Williams told Missourinet. “This is something that’s happening all over the country, and we value us being a state school, and we’re partners with the governor. We’re partner with the state legislature, and the primary reason why we can offer an affordable education is because we’re state supported, so we offer a great education to a lot of Missourians at a very affordable price.”

Williams says there were four staffers affected.

“Two were faculty members that were promoted to administrative roles. They’re in tenure. They were tenured, and so they go back to their faculty roles, so they’ll remain employed. Then the two other individuals will be moved to different positions that are already in camp on campus, that they’re qualified to be. Both are great professionals and won’t have an issue having a new role on our campus.” Williams said. He added that the graduate students who helped in the program will keep their current funding.

President Williams says the university has been complying with the state’s movement away from DEI programs over the past two years. He noted that Mizzou has already made this move.

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