By now, it’s common knowledge that the University of Wyoming shut down the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. They did this because legislation was passed that removed $1.73 million from the university’s budget for the next two years. The legislation also said that no state dollars were to be spent on DEI, effective July 1, 2024. This has, of course, sparked controversy, leaving many students feeling like they were left behind or not cared about.
Due to the removal of DEI, the Rainbow Resource Center and the Multicultural Center in the Union were shut down at the beginning of the semester, with no direct statements of what would happen to the empty rooms. Rumors sparked, with many people speculating that the Rainbow Resource Center was going to become a storage closet.
Recently, there has been a new development in the form of a sign posted on the window stating that ASUW now occupies the space. ASUW Director of Advocacy and Campus Unity Paula Medina took the time to answer some questions about it.
When asked what the closure of DEI means for minority groups on campus, Medina said, “Closures of DEI-related spaces and programs on campus has had a significant impact on minority groups, particularly international students, students of color, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Students have expressed a profound sense of loss and a diminished sense of belonging following the closure, as the spaces that once provided them support, visibility, and connection have been removed. Furthermore, the former [multicultural resource center] hallway holds significant historical value in the advocacy efforts at the University of Wyoming, which were especially important for these students. For many, these hallways served as a vital space where they first found a sense of community and belonging on campus. However, there are still spaces for support such as ASUW and the new Pokes Center for Community Resources located near Pokes Pub.”
Medina also cleared up the rumors about the Rainbow Resource Center, saying that it will be repurposed as the ASUW conference room.
“Students and student organizations are encouraged to come into the new ASUW office at any time. While we recognize that the recent structural changes may have caused some confusion, it has always been ASUW’s goal to remain accessible and engage with students. We believe that the open design of our office and our increased visibility within the Wyoming Union will facilitate greater interaction with the student body. We are committed to supporting students and look forward to seeing you. Regarding the use of our space for club meetings, student organizations may request to book the ASUW Conference Room, provided it does not conflict with any scheduled ASUW meetings or events. In line with general campus space usage policies, student organizations are welcome to use the conference room when it is available,” Medina said.
ASUW President Kameron Murfitt added, “ASUW has always been deeply committed to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Last semester, our former Director of Justice and Equity, Medina, played an active role in the Working Group tasked with providing recommendations to the Board of Trustees in response to the budget cuts passed by the state legislature. In this role, Director Medina facilitated two listening sessions to gather feedback on the Finalized Report, which was then compiled and presented to the Board of Trustees. In their current position as Director of Advocacy and Campus Unity, Director Medina is now serving on the Access and Engagement Working Group, which is focused on reviewing the Equal Opportunity and Prohibited Efforts Statement. Their work in this group will aim to bring clarity to the campus community regarding the statement’s implications, addressing both DEI-related and broader issues. This ongoing involvement underscores ASUW’s commitment to advocating for DEI and ensuring that it remains a priority on campus.”
Many students have expressed their concerns about ASUW moving so quickly into places that felt like home to minority students. President Murfitt addressed this by saying, “Finding a new space for ASUW was not opportunistic, but a direct result of 3+ years of efforts by ASUW members to find a space more suitable to ASUW’s needs. The primary objective was to secure a space that would be more accessible, as our previous location presented challenges for students with varying levels of physical disabilities. Additionally, the move aimed to enhance visibility to foster greater student engagement.”
“We understand these changes are difficult for some people to accept, just as there are some people who will see the changes as insufficient. What I can say is that we are moving forward the best we can to meet the expectations of elected officials and the people of Wyoming and continue serving our students and communities,” said UW President Seidel earlier this year.
