Last week, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told Fox News "discriminatory DEI policies are being dismantled" across the state's colleges and universities. "I am pleased our colleges and university board continue to prioritize merit-based opportunity over race-based discrimination," he stated, adding "this is a win for common sense, for civil rights, and for students and faculty …."
Earlier in March, the governor had specifically praised the UVA board for unanimously voting to dissolve the university's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Community Partnerships. "DEI is done at the University of Virginia," he emphasized in a press release at that time.
AFN spoke with Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia, who explains universities across the state will be monitored to ensure that the directive is carried out.
"These universities will have governance over them at the board level that isn't just trying to rename programs but truly is trying to remove the things that divide these students one from another," she said.
Still, she predicts UVA – like most schools banning DEI – will experience pushback from liberal faculty.
"This is going to be the challenge: How do you systematically work to change an ideology that has become so pervasive that it does come into the classroom at the educator level?" said Cobb. "I do believe there's going to have to be very strong efforts to encourage faculty to come into compliance with the idea that we should all be treated equally and with respect."
According to the Fox News report, Virginia has experienced a "domino effect" in the universities and colleges across the state as institutions of higher learning nix their DEI offices and program. Cobb advises every parent and student to stay focused on what's happening at the ground level to ensure Trump's order to end DEI is carried out.
