UW-System Will No Longer Require Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statements From Job Applicants

Friday, May 12th, 2023 -- 11:00 AM

(By Sarah Lehr, Wisconsin Public Radio) The University of Wisconsin will no longer require diversity, equity and inclusion statements from job applicants, UW System President Jay Rothman announced Thursday.

According to Sarah Lehr with Wisconsin Public Radio, the move comes after Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has threatened to cut state funding to Wisconsin's public universities. Specifically, Vos has criticized DEI programming at UW as an attempt to "indoctrinate" students with taxpayer dollars.

It's common for universities to ask potential faculty to submit statements describing how they've used their work to further diversity, equity and inclusion. Rothman did not provide an estimate of how many UW positions have previously required such statements, but described the number as "limited."

"We remain absolutely committed to the principles of DEI," Rothman told reporters Thursday. "But when some people believe mandatory diversity statement in employment applications are political litmus tests, then we are not being inclusive."

Sometimes applicants use such statements to discuss what they could offer as member of group that's underrepresented in academia. Critics have charged that such statements are being used to pressure applicants into affirming liberal viewpoints.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.