In a recent development, the University of Texas at Austin has been compelled to cancel several culturally specific graduation ceremonies due to the implementation of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion legislation in the state.
The legislation has necessitated the cessation of official operations at the university's Multicultural Engagement Center, leading to the cancellation of the "Black Graduation, Latinx Graduation, and GraduAsian" events.
Brandelyn Flunder, the director of the Center for Leadership and Learning, communicated the development to students via an email. The Daily Texan obtained the email in which Flunder stated, "While our doors remain open (for now at least), our programs do not. This includes our ability to plan and fund our welcome programs including the New Black Student Weekend, Adelante, CultivAsian, Bloq Party, and Four Directions, as well as our signature graduation ceremonies."
Flunder, in a subsequent email, clarified that although the Multicultural Engagement Center (MEC) is no longer hosting the events, the office is "working diligently to find an alternative home so that 2024 graduates can be celebrated in the ways that they deserve." She emphasized that making sure the ceremonies take place in some form is a "top priority."
The legislation that led to this situation, SB 17, was passed in June 2023 and came into effect on January 1 of this year. It essentially prohibits publicly funded higher education institutions from "Conducting trainings, programs, or activities designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, other than trainings, programs, or activities developed by an attorney and approved in writing by the institution's general counsel and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the sole purpose of ensuring compliance with any applicable court order or state or federal law."
The legislation categorizes university-endorsed graduation ceremonies for specific races as such activities, thereby making them illegal. Consequently, all students, irrespective of their race, will only have the option to attend the regular ceremony.
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