Virginia Tech Board of Visitors vote to dissolve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office

Yahoo

26-03-2025

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February, demanding that the public and private sectors eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) based policies to promote civil rights for all Americans. This meant dissolving the Office of Inclusive Strategy and Excellence at Virginia Tech.
In response, hundreds of people gathered outside Burruss Hall for an organized protest, asking the Board of Visitors not to vote in favor of this. They all marched around campus to make their voices heard.
'We have to protest, we have to stand up, and we have to try to fight for humanity, and love, and people,' Ryleigh Brown, a Sociology major at Virginia Tech who was involved in the protest, said. 'I'm here to fight for humanity.'
The March ended outside the Inn hotel, shortly before the Board of Visitors meeting inside the Latham Ballroom.
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Rector Edward Baine and other board members opposed the move, saying this would take a step back in the inclusion process. Still, the board voted to pass the order.
'At the end of the day, the resolution says we have to be compliant (with the law), and we always have been,' University spokesperson Mark Owczarski said. 'We have to make sure that we remain compliant in the face of evolving and changing law.'
Owczarski said the university will continue to pursue alternate ways going forward to help people feel included.
'152 years ago, we were founded to make available to those who seek it, a Virginia Tech education,' he said. 'That fundamental element of our mission has not and will not change.'
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