ETSU announced plans to restructure its student centers following the passage of new legislation prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices at public institutions in Tennessee.
The Dismantling DEI Departments Act and the Dismantle DEI in Employment Act, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly, ban state and local government entities, including public colleges, from maintaining DEI offices or considering race, ethnicity, sex or age in employment practices.
In a statement, ETSU President Brian Noland said the university has developed a strategy to remain in compliance with both state and federal directives while still supporting students.
“In anticipation of the changes occurring in the state and federal policy landscape, leaders including faculty, staff and students from across the institution have been working for several months on a strategy to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while enhancing student services and ensuring ongoing support for student success,” Noland said. “While the manner in which we provide services and support may be changing, I would like to reaffirm that our values remain the same. ETSU is a place where all people should be welcomed, treated with dignity and respect and given every opportunity to succeed.”
As part of the changes, the Office of Equity and Inclusion will end operations. The Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center and the Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center will be restructured into broader hubs: the newly envisioned Mary V. Jordan Center and Dr. Patricia Robertson Center. The Robertson Center will integrate the work of the Women and Gender Resource Center and the Pride Center into an expanded set of services that focuses on community connection for students.
“As a state institution, we are expected to comply with the laws of the state of Tennessee as well as federal guidance,” said Joe Sherlin, vice president for Student Life and Enrollment. “Certainly, we need federal and state funds to operate as an institution to continue to serve our students through federal grants and Pell grants.”
University leaders said that a student success center has been in progress for a significant amount of time, as outlined in ETSU’s Strategic Plan.
“We have had this bigger goal to make sure that we’re providing holistic, personalized support for all of our students as a charge from the Board of Trustees in our strategic planning,” said Jess Vodden, vice president of marketing and communications. “Simultaneously, we knew that there were regulations coming from the federal and state government that we were going to have to operate within, to do that.”
Some students believe that communication regarding this initiative could be improved.
“It was a long time ago between when they started making changes and when they actually said something,” said Arc Shepherd, a member of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. “It almost felt like they were trying to sweep it under the rug in hopes people would not notice.”
Shepherd, who identifies as queer, said they valued having a space dedicated to LGBTQ+ students on campus.
“Heterosexual people are already the default. All of these spaces are safe spaces for them,” they said. “Why can’t we have just this one space dedicated to us?” shared Shepherd.
Members of other student groups expressed similar concerns regarding communication, but different perspectives on what centers should stay.
Nicholas Vocke, a representative of Turning Point USA at ETSU, said he believes the Pride Center should be removed entirely.
“It really needs to be dissolved considering the fact that you have different religious beliefs across campus,” Vocke said. “This center is also encouraging a culture that I do not support and many Christians that I know do not support. That goes directly against the Bible.”
Vocke attended a meeting held for student organizations across campus meant to shed light on the current changes coming to the university.
“There was not a clear message on what these centers would be in the future,” Vocke said. “From that meeting, no one was really getting the communication that we expected. There was no communication about the Pride Center or Multicultural Center’s website going down when it did.”
Through these shifting times, Sherlin emphasized the university’s desire to continue working with students.
“I expect that both the Jordan Center and the Robertson Center will have an advisory group that includes student representation,” he said. “We could get feedback about how these centers are working and the needs that we need to focus on moving forward.”
While reactions remain mixed, university officials maintain that no staff will be laid off due to the restructuring and that the core mission remains intact.
“We believe that we can be in compliance and with this plan, serve all our students and serve all our students well,” Sherlin said.
As restructuring efforts continue, student voices on both sides of the issue highlight the challenges of balancing compliance with state laws and maintaining inclusive spaces. ETSU leaders say they hope to involve more students in shaping what comes next.
