In January 1889, Utah Territory was still seven years shy of becoming a state. Its entire population (207,905) was smaller than the current population of Weber County. And in the bustling railroad town of Ogden, Weber Stake Academy opened its doors to provide the surrounding community access to education.
For 135 years, through six name changes, two world wars, pandemics, depression and times of social upheaval, Weber State University has remained true to its founding principles, which included offering a quality education that “the humblest in the land” could afford, and where men and women from “all nationalities and religious denominations” could better their lives.
On July 1, we faced another transition. Weber State, along with all other state offices and institutions, implemented changes to comply with the new state law established by HB261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives.
This new law prohibits “discriminatory practices” that have become associated with diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
As part of our response to HB261 and our corresponding restructure, Weber State is revising job descriptions and reassigning personnel from our Division of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. This includes repurposing identity-based centers to a new Student Success Center that is open to meet all students where they are, foster vibrant communities, offer individualized student coaching and cultivate an environment where all 30,000 WSU students achieve academic and personal excellence.
Seeing drastic reductions of DEI programs in other states and sensing the inevitability of similar cuts in Utah, I made the painful decision to close our identity-based centers.
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