UT Austin Terminates Multiple Employees in Response to Texas DEI Ban

The University of Texas at Austin has terminated at least 20 employees working in diversity, equity, and inclusion due to Senate Bill 17, which prohibits certain activities in these areas. The university is discontinuing programs within the Division of Campus and Community Engagement, redistributing remaining programs, and reallocating funding to support teaching and research. UT President Jay Hartzell stated that the changes were necessary to comply with the bill, which went into effect on January 1. Staff members affected by the terminations will receive support from the Division of Student Affairs, while noncompliance with SB 17 could lead to consequences such as freezing of state funding or legal action.