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Feb. 24, 2025
51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø faculty and staff,
Late last Friday afternoon, I sent a communication to ensure that you were aware of
the Board of Regents’ motion directing UA to take certain actions regarding diversity,
equity and inclusion, or DEI. Today I want to further describe how we understand this
direction and how we will go about applying it.
While the landscape is complicated by executive orders to agencies, agency direction
to contractors (like us), Department of Education directives to Universities and the
various court actions staying some or all provisions of some or all actions, it is
important to affirm that 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø abides by the law. We continue to follow legal guidance
as we seek to understand and apply federal guidance.
At the same time, the Board of Regents has the explicit right and responsibility to
adopt guidance for the University. They do this through policy and board actions,
such as this motion. Through this motion, they have clearly stated expectations for
how we respond to the federal landscape. Furthermore, the board provided some specific
guidance on certain issues, such as removing the words DEI in our institutional web
sites and published materials. Tomorrow I will send a message to vice chancellors
asking them to begin taking actions necessary to meet the Board of Regents’ guidance.
If you have questions please reach out to your vice chancellors and refer to the FAQs
. I will continue to regularly communicate with you and work to provide avenues for
getting clarity where needed as we move forward.
51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø remains committed to ensuring a welcoming learning environment for all, fostering
free speech, academic freedom and open and equal access to our 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø community. We also
reaffirm our commitment to honoring Alaska Native culture and heritage. We continue
to seek to help all students overcome their individual barriers to education - whatever
they may be.
I would ask each and every student, faculty and staff member at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø to remember that
each of you play an essential role in creating a belonging environment. And in these
rapidly changing times, our work to educate every student has never been more important.
—ÌýDan White, 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø chancellor
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