CLEVELAND — Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are being rolled back at universities across Ohio and the nation. Here in Cleveland, one Case Western Reserve University staff member tried to stand up for DEI. In the end, the university says that because of federal policies, they have no choice but to comply.
It all started with an email.
“It said, 'Confidential and urgent, please immediately remove these websites,'” said Marie Vibbert, Webmaster for the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western.
Vibbert’s response was simple.
“I said, 'Is this just, you know, to kowtow to Trump? If so, no,'” said Vibbert.
At Case Western Reserve University, Vibbert manages about 120 university websites. But recently, she was asked to take down these three:
- 2012 Chemistry Doctoral Scholarship for Underrepresented Minority Students
- The Frederica Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund,Department of Anthropology
- Minority Scholarships and Grants
Each of them is tied to DEI.
“They were all minority scholarship programs,” said Vibbert.
She said she felt betrayed by the university when they asked her to take down the sites. Vibbert pushed back—taking her concerns up the chain to the vice president.
But ultimately, the websites were removed.
“To block access to that education to people who might not be able to come if they can't get a scholarship, that, to me, is terrible,” said Vibbert.
Across the country, universities are rolling back DEI efforts, citing pressure from both state and federal policies.
“I believe that presents a very unfair environment and... it should not exist,” said Sen. Jerry Cirinio (R-Kirtland).
Cirino supports ending DEI programs and pushed for Senate Bill 1, which has already been signed into law by the governor.
“DEI at the very beginning may have been well-intentioned, but what it has changed into over the years is that it's inherently an unlevel playing field,” said Cirinio.
SB-1 will go into effect on June 27. Under the law, universities that don’t comply could lose state funding.
“If someone is resisting compliance with the law, they will have to pay a price for it,” said Cirino.
In a statement, Case Western said federal policies left them no choice:
“As a consequence of this federal mandate, the university-wide office for diversity, equity and inclusive engagement will close, effective immediately. To maintain alignment with our institutional values we will establish the office for campus enrichment and engagement,” the statement read.
“The university is worried about its bottom line, but our bottom line, we're an educational institution. Our bottom line is not money. Our bottom line is education. Our bottom line is engineers and doctors and lawyers. That's our bottom line. Is providing that for society,” said Vibbert.
For Vibbert, this isn’t the outcome she hoped for. But as someone still on staff, she believes the university she loves can still do what’s right.
“Certainly the faculty and the staff and the students care, and it's just going to take a tiny bit of bravery, because we have to act like this is going to end,” said Vibbert.
News 5 asked Case Western if any staff members lost their jobs due to the DEI rollback, and whether the affected scholarships still exist. We are currently awaiting a response.
You can find Case Western’s full statement on the DEI rollback below:
To the university community,
At Case Western Reserve, the wide range of ideas, backgrounds and experiences present in our classrooms, labs and gathering spaces is what makes our university such a rich, robust and inspiring place to learn, work and live. It challenges us to think differently, to consider other perspectives and to constantly demand that we do better, and be better. Our institution has a long and proud history of offering a path to a better life for all, and we will continue to do so long into the future.
The executive orders (issued Jan. 20 and Jan. 21) to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in organizations receiving federal funding make clear that there are consequences for those who do not comply. We have watched the evolution of the legal challenges to these executive orders, and, as we have seen among some of our peers already, it is clear we must be in compliance with them to receive the federal funding that is critical to our present and future.
As a consequence of this federal mandate, the university-wide Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement will close, effective immediately. To maintain alignment with our institutional values we will establish the Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement. This office will work to connect our community and offer programming that aligns with its new mission: Enriching our campus life through building community, active engagement, mindful learning and transformative civil dialogue. This office will also administer the Gallup Engagement Survey and lead its corresponding committee, which has representation from across the university, to develop action steps to improve our campus engagement. You can learn about the new office on its website; more information will be added as the new office continues to build its work.
School-based programs will see similar changes, and staff roles may be adjusted to align with this new approach. The Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement will work with schools to achieve this new mission and ensure their efforts support all members of our community.
We will continue to assess programming and processes across the university to ensure they comply with law and support our community. It may take time for us to find solutions, but trust that all decisions will hold true to our values. Across Case Western Reserve, we will continue to promote:
· Civility and the free exchange of ideas,
· Civic and international engagement, and
· Appreciation for the distinct perspectives and talents of each individual.
These core values have long defined all that we do—from teachings in our classrooms to service in our community to research that benefits our nation and the world—and they will continue to do so.
We continue to diligently monitor legislation and directives and will communicate with you on how it may impact our academic work, our research and our community.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President
