On February 19, 2025, Professor Matthew Burgess hosted a discussion that all were welcome to attend regarding recent legislative agendas from the State House and Senate. The talks primarily tried to focus on how the University of Wyoming specifically would be affected by this legislation, and how faculty planned on navigating the upcoming changes to education that will be taking place both throughout the state and federally. The talks were focused on bipartisanship for the most part, and aimed not to endorse or decry any specific political opinions, but rather simply discuss what the effects would ultimately end up being for the University.
The discussion was attended by several university administrators, including Vice President and General Counsel Tara Evans, Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Community Engagement Mike Smith, and Vice President of Budget and Finance Alex Kean. To encourage open conversation, the discussion followed strict house rules: no recording was allowed, and statements could not be attributed to specific individuals. The administrators were primarily present to answer questions and provide insight into how the university might respond to legislative changes.
Several bills are being closely watched due to their potential impact on the university. Among the most notable were two bills addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies: House Bill 147 and Senate Order 103. These bills set restrictions on what universities can mandate in terms of DEI education. Specifically, they prevent the university from requiring courses that discuss whiteness, privilege, racism, and similar topics in a contemporary context, though such subjects can still be taught as electives or in a historical framework. Additionally, DEI-related grants will no longer be funded due to changes stemming from new federal executive orders.
Another bill under consideration would repeal the state’s gun-free zone policies, which would of course have a large effect on the University. This seems to be in direct contrast to what the Board of Trustees decided on last semester, quite possibly intentionally, as Governor Mark Gordon had made it clear that the university was supposed to find a way to allow some form of carry on campus, not to vote it down entirely. While the repeal would allow concealed carry on campus, open carry could still be prohibited, and exceptions would remain in place for specific areas, such as healthcare facilities and laboratories with hazardous materials.
Despite the various legislative changes under discussion, university administrators stated that the overall budget for the University of Wyoming will remain largely unchanged. While certain grant programs and specific funding streams may be affected, core university funding is expected to stay intact for the foreseeable future.
