West
University of California drops diversity statements in hiring amid threats of Trump cutting funding
The University of California (UC) has become the latest high-profile school to drop diversity statements from its hiring practices.
On Wednesday, the university’s provost Katherine S. Newman sent out a letter to the system’s leaders informing them that diversity statements are no longer required for new applicants.
Newman wrote that while some programs and departments have required them, the university has never had a policy of diversity statements and believes it could harm applicant evaluation.
The University of California will no longer permit its programs or departments to use diversity statements in hiring. (iStock)
NEARLY HALF OF ALL US COLLEGE STUDENTS REJECT MANDATORY DEI COURSES ON CAMPUS: STUDY
“The requirement to submit a diversity statement may lead applicants to focus on an aspect of their candidacy that is outside their expertise or prior experience,” the letter obtained by Fox News Digital read.
She added that employees and applicants can still reference accomplishments related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on their own, but requiring stand-alone diversity statements is no longer permitted.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly said that the university will still continue to honor its commitment to “embrace and celebrate Californians from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view.”
UC follows the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Michigan in eliminating diversity statements as elite colleges start scaling back on DEI initiatives.
The Department of Education under Trump has warned schools across the country that federal funding could be cut if they do not remove DEI policies. (Getty Images)
The news came one month after a letter from the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights was sent out to departments of education across all 50 states warning them to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies or risk legal consequences, including a loss of federal funding.
The Trump administration already pulled $400 million in grants to Columbia University earlier this month, citing the school’s failure to address rising antisemitism on campus.
ELITE UNIVERSITY ELIMINATES DEI HIRING REQUIREMENT: ‘THEY DON’T WORK’
Though the school was unclear whether these were factors in the decision to remove diversity statements, UC President Michael Drake also announced a system-wide hiring freeze and several cost-saving measures ahead of a significant state budget cut and any potential federal challenges in the future.
UC President Michael Drake announced preparations for potentially losing federal funding under the Trump administration. (iStock)
Read the full article from Here
New Mexico
Federal judge rules in favor of lawsuit filed by New Mexico, 15 other states to restore mental health funding
The Oregon Ducks’ 2025 season has looked a lot different from when they went undefeated in the 2024 regular season and won the Big Ten Conference Championship. The Ducks entered the postseason with a loss on their record and a handful of young players gaining their first College Football Playoff starts in the first round vs. Jams Madison.
The path for Oregon to make a deep postseason run is still there. Coach Dan Lanning went on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and revealed what he thinks his team’s biggest superpower is ahead of their quarterfinal matchup against Texas Tech.
What Dan Lanning Said About Strength in Numbers
The Ducks’ regular season didn’t lack adversity. Between a high-pressure overtime game, having to comeback with two minutes left on the road and a plethora of injuries, Lanning’s squad has had a lot to overcome. Throughout all the adversity, the team stuck together.
“I think our superpower is our love for our teammates,” Lanning said. “I think our superpower is the amount of guys that make an impact on this team.”
Quarterback Dante Moore said after the Ducks’ first-round win that the group has grown throughout the season because of the way they’re connected.
With players like wide receivers Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr., as well as various players on the offensive line, coming in and out the lineup, the offense has barely missed a beat. Other players have stepped up when their number has been called.
“I think strength in numbers has really been a superpower for us. We’ve been down players and then we’ve had players available,” Lanning said. “We’ve had guys that you didn’t expect to make an impact, make a huge impact. So, I think really our superpower is the strength in numbers and the buy in from our players.”
Lanning’s roster seem to be getting healthy at the right time. Moore and Bryant both returned to the field vs. the Dukes after missing over a month of action. Wide receiver Evan Stewart and defensive back Trey McNutt have both been seen practicing in the past week despite not playing yet this season.
The Ducks should become harder to scout with more players returning from injury. The way that players like wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan have stepped up for Oregon when its needed creates a variety of options for the coaching staff to choose from, and it makes the team more unpredictable.
MORE: Oregon Ducks vs. Texas Tech Playoff Betting Odds Make A Clear Statement
MORE: Oregon Loses Two More Players to Transfer Portal Amid College Football Playoff Run
MORE: Dan Lanning’s Frustration Could Ignite Oregon vs. Texas Tech
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!
The Team’s Trust in the Coaching Staff
The players on the Ducks may have a lot of chemistry and trust in one another, but part of their “superpower” seems to be the trust they have in the coaching staff.
After Oregon had a lackluster second half against JMU, Moore said that he’s confident the team will clean up its mistakes because he knows his coach is going to continue to push them in practice.
“Coach Lanning’s our leader. We go as he goes,” Moore said. “He’s going to make sure that he’s going to push us very hard next week. We’re going go watch film. Of course, he’s proud of us for us making it this far.”
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Mia Bailey, a transgender woman who pleaded guilty to killing both her parents, will be housed in a men’s housing unit, at least initially.
A Utah Department of Corrections spokesperson said Bailey will be in the intake unit while various needs are assessed, adding that it can take a few weeks to make the housing assignment, depending on availability within the unit that best fits the person’s needs.
Under a Utah law that took effect in May 2024, UDC is required to assign inmates to housing units based on their biological sex at birth, not gender identity, as a default rule.
The law does allow for an exception in cases for transgender inmates to request to be housed in a living area that does not match their biological sex at birth, only after a detailed, individualized security analysis.
That analysis must consider the inmate’s anatomy, physical characteristics, criminal history, past behavior while in custody, and whether the inmate has a history of predatory or violent behavior. It also must be determined that the placement poses a low risk to others and to the inmate, does not disrupt facility operations, and is not being sought solely to change housing assignments.
If at any point that placement is found to create safety or security issues, the inmate must be reassigned back to housing that corresponds with their biological sex at birth.
The Utah Department of Corrections currently houses other transgender inmates, according to a department spokesperson.
Bailey was given two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life earlier this month after previously pleading guilty to killing her parents.
___
Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Dec. 24, 2025
Federal judge rules in favor of lawsuit filed by New Mexico, 15 other states to restore mental health funding
Online assignments aren’t a cure for rising absenteeism in NC schools, researchers say
2 killed, 1 injured in semitrailer collision in North Dakota
Elderly couple dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs.Claus pulled over for speeding in Ohio: ‘North Pole isn’t what it used to be!’
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Nearly 20 states sue HHS over declaration to restrict gender transition treatment for minors
Europe defends its digital rules after US targets Breton with visa ban
New Epstein files mention Trump. And, SCOTUS rules on National Guard in Chicago
Nick Fuentes says he’ll campaign against Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio in slur-laced rant
Libyan army chief killed in plane crash: What next?
-
Maine1 week agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
New Mexico1 week agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist, shot and killed in his home in Brookline, Mass. | Fortune
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago‘Love being a pedo’: Metro Detroit doctor, attorney, therapist accused in web of child porn chats
-
Health1 week ago‘Aggressive’ new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptoms
-
Maine1 week agoFamily in Maine host food pantry for deer | Hand Off
-
World5 days agoPutin says Russia won’t launch new attacks on other countries ‘if you treat us with respect’
-
Education1 week agoVideo: How We Tested Earplugs for Sleeping