Student and advocacy groups prepare to battle SB17 on college campuses

AUSTIN, Texas — Sitting in what was once the school’s bustling multicultural center, University of Texas at Austin senior and Black Student Alliance member Madison Morris says she feels an emptiness.

“That was an integral part of my college experience and really made me feel accustomed at UT,” Morris said. “Seeing those programs go away makes me feel for the incoming students because I don’t think they’ll get that experience.”

In recent months, Senate Bill 17, a law that requires universities to close their diversity, equity and inclusion offices, has created a massive ripple effect across the state. Schools are essentially dissolving DEI offices, faculty and programming. The loss of DEI offices led to UT students protesting the decision in Austin last week.

“There’s strength in numbers for sure and I think that protest made a lot of noise during the solar eclipse, so there were a lot of people to see it,” Morris said.

Between the court of public opinion and at the state and federal level, Nelson Linder, president of the Austin chapter of the NAACP, says universities have overstepped in their implementation of SB17. While it clearly states DEI offices must close, funding for specific groups or how many people to lay off is largely left up to interpretation. UT Austin and UT Dallas have already released dozens of staff members in recent weeks.

“We’re on the defensive and going to fight for all of our students. This bill and its implementation has a lot of holes in it and we’re going to find every one of them,” Linder said. “We have a multifaceted front, a battle that’s coming in this city, state, and I don’t think they’re prepared for that.” 

UT President Jay Hartzell did not respond to requests for an interview on the story but said in a university statement, “It is important to respect the perspectives and experiences of fellow longhorns as changes take effect. It is also important that this continues to be a welcoming, supportive community for all.” 

Morris believes many students may now have to find that sense of belonging elsewhere.

“Honestly, if this happened a few years ago before college, I probably wouldn’t even be attending UT right now,” Morris said. “I’m sure there are high school students looking at the news right now, not just here but other schools, and reconsidering their decision before May 1st.”