Student organizations discuss the impact of the loss of DEI on the LGBTQ community

According to revised UNC System Policy 300.8.5, diversity is defined as various "backgrounds, beliefs, viewpoints, abilities, cultures, and traditions that distinguish one individual from another," with the LGBTQ+ community central to that definition. Still, recent guidance does not specify how the repeal of the UNC System DEI policy may impact LGBTQ+ students and groups. 

In the guidance, the UNC System Division of Legal Affairs said that policy does not apply to student groups using university space or resources "so long as the student groups comply with the campus’s generally applicable rules for facilities and resources."

Despite policy assurances, students like Sophia Vona are wondering what comes next.

Vona is the President of Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, an organization that aims to help LGBTQ+ students in STEM find careers and a sense of community.

Following recent Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy changes, Vona said that the alterations are concerning and that actions reducing funding for DEI de-emphasize the subject as a whole, while simultaneously shifting conversation away from the topic.

“As much as I really love oSTEM and our student organizations, it can't just be the responsibility of the students to create this inclusive community and to find ways to make UNC campus more accepting, comfortable for all and inclusive of all,” Vona said.

Even though student organizations like oSTEM are not affected by policy changes, according to System guidance, Vona said that DEI changes at UNC are worrying for the group. 

Emma Culley, Co-President of the UNC Sexuality and Gender Alliance, a group that works to connect queer people and allies, as well as creating safe and inclusive spaces on campus, said that a lot of queer people would be affected by shifting DEI funding, and that SAGA would do their best to supplement altered resources.

Culley said that queer spaces have historically been queer white spaces, acknowledging that SAGA was a historically "very white organization."

"We very much reject this idea of anti-DEI, anti-acknowledging race [and] kind of pushing race to the side for comfortability for us," Culley said. "We plan on hosting events that are specifically spaces for queer people of color."

Culley said the organization was thinking about DEI changes through an ideological lens, saying that race was highly important to recognize.

A former member of the DEI Fellows program, a leadership program offered under the former Office for Diversity and Inclusion, SPark, said that being a part of the program was a great way to work in diverse spaces in and outside of academia. They said that initiatives promoting DEI help prepare students for their future lives and careers in a diverse and vibrant world.

SPark, who is employed by UNC Global Affairs as well as the UNC LGBTQ Center said that their opinion does not speak on behalf of the organizations by which they are employed. When asked about the recent DEI repeals and cuts, the UNC LGBTQ Center declined to comment.

The UNC System Division of Legal Affairs wrote in guidance that the policy does not prohibit centers categorically, but that centers founded or operated through administration must review "postings, writings, program content, and other messaging."

“I'm going to love my fellow humans, and I don't need institutional funds to do it,” SPark said. “I think that is a view that's reflected in the beautiful organizing work that the student body has continued to do. I'm very proud of the students, just as much as and even more than I am disappointed in the actions of the university administration.”

SPark said that she believes the recent cuts to DEI funding have had a strong effect on free speech on UNC campus. They said that they hope this curtailing of free speech will ultimately result in more students standing up for what they believe in.

“What's going to happen is that this campus is going to just not be able to provide the kind of global and diverse experience that I think made it so valuable, made it such a valuable part of the Carolina education," SPark said. "And that's a real shame. I think that's a real shame for future classes, that they're not going to have the same sort of access to programs that were able to celebrate students' affinity for student diversity.”

@dailytarheel | university@dailytarheel.com