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OGDEN — As diversity programming across the nation comes under fire, a graduate student at Weber State University is spearheading a study aimed at gauging the impact of the new law axing such initiatives at Utah's universities.
The new law, HB261, went into effect on July 1, and the researchers have already detected some apprehension among Weber State students from impacted communities, said Teresa Thompson, a master's degree student leading the effort. "We're finding there's a lot of fear of losing funding, fear of (students) losing mentors. ... Fear of racism and not having a place to go," she said, referencing the closure of cultural centers with HB261's implementation.
That said, the initial responses to the changes brought on by HB261 are still being processed, and additional surveys and interviews are to be carried out early next year to round out the study, after students at the Ogden-based university have had time to process the shift. The final study — focused on reactions from groups of students who had traditionally benefited from programs eliminated or overhauled by HB261 — should be complete next summer.
"It might be that people overestimate the impact of it. (Diversity programming) goes away, and people are like, 'Wow, I'm not as bad off as I thought I was,'" said Michael Ault, an associate professor of communication who's working with Thompson. "Or it might be like, 'Yeah, this has fundamentally changed my experience at the university, and I'm worse off than I was before.'"
Either way, Ault and Thompson, who's pursuing a master's degree in professional communications, said they aren't aware of other studies looking at the impact of axing diversity, equity and inclusion programming at U.S. universities, which figured in the decision to pursue the probe. HB261, focus of heated debate last January, received overwhelming support from the Republican majority in the Utah Legislature and opposition from Democratic lawmakers before Gov. Spencer Cox inked it into law on Jan. 30.
"If you're going to make decisions that are this impactful on people, there should be data, there should be research on both sides," Ault said. "Whether we're implementing new policies to help historically disadvantaged groups or to get rid of those programs, we should be making those decisions based on rigorous investigations."
HB261 mandated an overhaul of programming at Utah's public universities meant to help students of color and other traditionally marginalized groups adapt and thrive in college. Instead, such initiatives must be geared to all students in need, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other personal identifiers. Proponents argued that it was unfair to offer programming based on personal identifiers, while foes saw the change as a step back in creating a supportive environment for Black, Latino, LGBTQ and other students from traditionally marginalized populations.
As part of their probe, the Weber State researchers are completing one-on-one interviews with a cross-section of 25 students from the varied communities that had been the focus of diversity programming. The researchers also surveyed around 100 students to get initial reaction to the specter of change. Weber State, the University of Utah and Utah's other public universities announced changes as HB261's July 1 deadline loomed, also opting to close cultural centers geared to Black, Latino, LGBTQ and other students as well lest they run afoul of HB261's varied provisions.
At WSU, the new Student Success Center will absorb cultural center functions, providing services to students who need extra help without regard to personal identifiers.
Pam Nunez, an undergraduate student who's also aiding in the effort, said she has felt the ripple effects of HB261 — the loss of a mentor who left Weber State in response to the changes wrought by HB261. "I would say she was an amazing mentor, and I lost her," said Nunez. Nunez, who's Hispanic, also noted the loss of the sense of community she felt owing to the elimination of the cultural centers.
That said, while HB261 has prompted apprehension among some, others aren't worried, at least at this stage. "Some are more optimistic and are hoping that even with the changes, we won't be as impacted. I'm trying to be optimistic myself, but it's hard to tell until you experience it in the long term," Nunez said.
Ault said some still enrolled at Weber State may be aware of programming that can help them thanks to their involvement with the now-defunct cultural centers. But with those centers gone, he wonders if the networks will continue to help future generations "find community and find friends and things like that."
The researchers have reached out to other Utah universities to see if colleagues at other institutions are interested in taking part in the effort, so far with no response.
