CAITLIN THANK YOU. BACK HERE AT HOME, NEW AT FIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ON THEIR DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE. ABIGAIL OGLE JOINING US IN STUDIO HERE, ABBY OU IS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE WAKE OF THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WAS ISSUED BY GOVERNOR STITT LAST YEAR. YOU’RE EXACTLY RIGHT. AND THIS IS LATE BREAKING TODAY. YOU’LL REMEMBER BACK IN DECEMBER, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ORDERING ALL STATE AGENCIES AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES CITIES TO NOT ONLY REVIEW THEIR DEI SPENDING, BUT ALSO STOP FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS ALTOGETHER. WELL, TODAY, OU’S PRESIDENT SAID IN PART, WE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN WORKING ON ANTICIPATED AREAS OF CHANGE. THIS INCLUDES CHANGING THE NAME AND FUNCTION OF OUR CURRENT DIVISION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION TO OUR DIVISION OF ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY. SO CHANGING THE NAME AND THE FUNCTION, THEY SAY, ADDING THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT OU IS A PLACE OF BELONGING FOR ALL. DOCTOR HARRIS’S WENT ON TO SAY THAT EVEN THOUGH DEI POSITIONS WILL COME TO AN END AND STAFF MEMBERS WILL TAKE ON NEW ROLES, NO ONE WILL LOSE THEIR EMPLOYMENT WITH OU. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTES AND STATE AGENCIES HAVE UNTIL MAY 31ST GUYS TO BE IN FULL
OU in process of making changes in wake of executive order issued by Stitt
They're in the process of making a lot of changes in the wake of an executive order issued by Gov. Kevin Stitt last year.
Updated: 11:28 AM CST Feb 21, 2024
The University of Oklahoma provided an update on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office.They're in the process of making a lot of changes in the wake of an executive order issued by Gov. Kevin Stitt last year. In December, Stitt signed an executive order ordering all state agencies and public universities to not only review their DEI spending but also stop funding the programs altogether.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.In a statement, OU's president sent out an email saying, "While it will take time to determine the full scope of the executive order, we have already begun working on anticipated areas of change. This includes changing the name and function of our current Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to our Division of Access and Opportunity, which will continue to ensure that the University of Oklahoma is a place of belonging for all."He continued to say, "Even though DEI positions will come to an end and staff members will take on new roles that support our community broadly, no one in those roles will lose their employment with the university because of the executive order.">> Download the KOCO 5 appHigher education institutes and state agencies have until May 31 to be in full compliance with the executive order. Top Headlines'My son almost died': Treat family speaks out after crash nearly cost 16-year-old his life'It sounded like a bomb': Florida woman talks about car dropping from overpass onto her SUVOklahoma company has learning experience after reroofing wrong housePolice identify woman who allegedly smashed plates over OKC restaurant's 'endless shrimp' policy
NORMAN, Okla. — The University of Oklahoma provided an update on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office.
They're in the process of making a lot of changes in the wake of an executive order issued by Gov. Kevin Stitt last year. In December, Stitt signed an executive order ordering all state agencies and public universities to not only review their DEI spending but also stop funding the programs altogether.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
In a statement, OU's president sent out an email saying, "While it will take time to determine the full scope of the executive order, we have already begun working on anticipated areas of change. This includes changing the name and function of our current Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to our Division of Access and Opportunity, which will continue to ensure that the University of Oklahoma is a place of belonging for all."
He continued to say, "Even though DEI positions will come to an end and staff members will take on new roles that support our community broadly, no one in those roles will lose their employment with the university because of the executive order."
>> Download the KOCO 5 app
Higher education institutes and state agencies have until May 31 to be in full compliance with the executive order.
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