ETSU president speaks on recent DEI changes
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Recent changes in federal policy led schools like East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to make changes to DEI-related centers and resources on campus. ETSU's president, Brian Noland, said changes on campus were made to comply with the new policies.
ETSU closes DEI office – no position cuts to occur
'Some of the structural changes we've made to the organizational components of staff, we've made to ensure that we remain in compliance with state law and with federal policy directives,' Noland said.
Last week, the school announced its new approach to DEI programs. ETSU is sunsetting operations at its Office of Equity and Inclusion. The university also announced changes to the Pride Center, the Women and Gender Resource Center and the Multi-Cultural Center. Students previously told News Channel 11 that the school had not informed them of its decisions, but Noland said the university continued to keep communication channels open.
'I think we met with more than 35 groups over the course of the past couple of months,' Noland said. 'So I think the changes that we've made have been well vetted. They've been informed. Faculty, staff and students have had the opportunity to provide feedback, and that feedback shaped the ultimate direction of the initiatives that have been in place.'
ETSU launches new center to support low-income and first-generation students
While some centers are closing, another was created. The university announced it would soon open the Mary V. Jordan Center, focused on student success. Noland said the center was created to reach the students ETSU felt needed an extra level of support.
'We'll offer high-level advising, counseling services, mentoring services and scholarships to students,' Noland said. 'To position them so that four or so years after they begin as freshman, that they've got the ability to receive their degree and do so with limited to no debt.'
Noland stressed that the university's commitment to its students has not and will not change.
'Our value statements indicate that people come first and are treated with dignity and respect,' he said. 'That does not change. I recognize that some students may have concerns about the things that have transpired across the campus over the course of the past few weeks. But we look forward to ensuring that we're an institution that remains committed to all students having the opportunity to realize their dreams here at East Tennessee State University.'
Noland said the university would prepare to open the center as it looks toward the fall semester.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Rep. Byron Donalds calls on UF to restart presidential search over Ono's past DEI comments
Florida U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump to serve as Florida's next governor, is calling on the University of Florida to restart the search for its next president. Donalds' comments came May 7 in a Fox Business interview over a resurfaced March 2023 video of University of Michigan President Dr. Santa Ono — the only finalist to serve as UF's 14th president — in which he discussed the success of the school's DEI program and called racism one of America's original sins. Donalds, R-Naples, said during the interview that the University of Florida's search committee needs to go back to the drawing board after selecting a president that praises DEI initiatives. 'We have been clear about DEI not being a pillar of our educational systems in Florida,' Donalds said. 'It does not comport with the values of the state of Florida.' Donalds also addressed UF's selection of Ono on X. "Florida cannot afford to inject wokeness into our flagship university. This selection must be blocked and the search committee must start over." Ono, however, said in his first appearance on UF's campus on May 6 that he closed the University of Michigan's DEI office in March because he felt the investment was going toward the bureaucracy of the office, not the students. The decision to close the office was made after Trump signed an executive order targeting DEI programs. "Some of the things I hear is not everyone is included in the support that's provided," Ono said at UF. "To me, it's an American thing to support all students as opposed to just some of the students. It was my decision, but it was based on data and evidence, and this reallocation of funds allows more students to be given more opportunities." More: UF president finalist Ono talks DEI, experimental learning in meetings with students, faculty Ono added that his position on eliminating the DEI office aligns with Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration, state government and the university. The University of Florida announced on May 4 that Ono was the sole finalist to become the university's president. "Dr. Ono's proven record of academic excellence, innovation and collaborative leadership at world-class institutions made him our unanimous choice. We are confident he is the right person to build on UF's strong foundation and help realize our bold vision for the future," said Rahul Patel, chair of UF's Presidential Search Committee and a member of board of trustees UF declined to comment on Donalds' remarks. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Trump endorsed candidate in Florida calls out UF president finalist
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Bloomberg
Trump Reshapes DEI In Corporate America
President Donald Trump is attempting to reshape corporate America by cracking down on DEI initiatives. The Verna Myers Company Diversity Pioneer Vernā Myers explains the implications on these cuts on "Bloomberg Markets. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Council of Yukon First Nations, AFN to combine leadership roles into 1
Yukon First Nations have decided to unify a couple of regional leadership roles into one — meaning the next grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) will have some new responsibilities. Starting in October, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will no longer have a Yukon regional chief who's independent of CYFN. That person's duties and responsibilities will be taken up by the next CYFN grand chief. The two organizations began discussing the idea since last year and both passed resolutions last month to make it happen. The goal, according to a joint news release on Wednesday, is to "streamline governance, reduce duplication and strengthen national and political advocacy grounded in the shared priorities of all 14 Yukon First Nations." Currently, Yukon is represented at the AFN — an Ottawa-based national advocacy group — by Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, who has served in that role since 2018. CYFN is a non-profit political organization based in the territory that represents and advocates for Yukon First Nations, with the grand chief serving as the main political spokesperson. Peter Johnston has held that role since 2016 and has said he won't be running for another term. Under the new model, the CYFN grand chief will now represent Yukon First Nations at AFN executive meetings. However, that person "will not lead an AFN portfolio or sit on the AFN corporate board without a direct mandate from Yukon First Nations," reads Wednesday's news release. "This approach reflects a made-in-Yukon solution — directed by all 14 Chiefs — that aligns with regional governance realities while maintaining a strategic national presence." The next grand chief of CYFN will be elected this month. They would take on the new AFN-related responsibilities as of Oct. 1. In a written statement, Johnston called the change "a significant step forward in unifying our effort and advancing the interests of all Yukon First Nations." Adamek also touted the decision as a way to ensure Yukon First Nations have a stronger voice through "co-ordinated advocacy." "This is about amplifying the collective voices of all Yukon First Nations in a way that reflects who we are: united, visionary and rooted in our values," she said.
