Another University Rebrands Diversity Office Amid National Backlash Against DEI

Michigan Technological University has rebranded its diversity office, the latest in a trend of schools renaming their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

The school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion will now be known as “Engagement and Belonging,” the school announced on its website.

The change was made official on August 1.

Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you.

“This change reflects Michigan Tech’s continued dedication to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the University community, while emphasizing the intentional efforts made to achieve this goal,” the school said.

The office’s services, functions, and staff will remain the same, the school said.

“Engagement and Belonging is excited for this next chapter and looks forward to collaborating with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners to further strengthen a sense of belonging for everyone at Michigan Tech,” the school said.

Michigan Tech did not respond to a request for comment.

The Upper Peninsula school is far from the first to make such a change amid controversy around DEI and its effects on higher education.

Last summer, the University of South Carolina reorganized and renamed its DEI office to the Division of Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement.

In December, Clemson University, also in South Carolina, renamed its DEI office the Division of Community Engagement, Belonging and Access.

In Texas, a new law prohibiting higher education institutions from having diversity offices prompted some Texas schools to give their DEI offices new names involving words like “belonging,” “community engagement,” and “student development.”

However, the Republican Texas lawmaker who sponsored the DEI law pushed back.

State Senator Brandon Creighton wrote letters to Texas’ public university systems warning that simply renaming their diversity offices does not comply with the law.

“While I am encouraged with the progress I have seen from many institutions of higher education in implementing SB 17, I am deeply concerned with the possibility that many institutions may choose to merely rename their offices or employee titles,” Creighton wrote.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI

“This letter should serve as notice that this practice is unacceptable,” he said.

Numerous states have introduced legislation to ban or crack down on DEI programs and practices over the last several years.

Florida’s education board banned public colleges from using state or federal funds on DEI initiatives.

Utah prohibited diversity programs such as DEI statements in higher education, public schools, and government employment. The state also banned the words “diversity, equity and inclusion” from being in a public office’s name.

In Arizona, where a bill to ban DEI practices passed, Republican state Senator Anthony Kern said, “We don’t want public money going to political activism; promoting DEI.”