"Utah's Controversial Bills: Impact on Ute Tribe, DEI, and Transgender Rights"

A Utah bill aimed at reducing diversity initiatives in higher education may inadvertently threaten college tuition waivers for hundreds of tribal students, including those from the Ute Tribe. The bill, HB261, prohibits specific race- or gender-based scholarships and other diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This could impact the tuition waivers for Indigenous students, despite the bill's language not expressly addressing tribal students. The bill has already passed the Senate and is expected to pass the final vote, with the governor's support. This has raised concerns about the potential setback for Indigenous students and the impact on the longstanding agreement between the University of Utah and the Ute Indian Tribe.