University of Houston 15 (1)

The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with the LGBTQ Plus Resource Center, has been closed due to a law prohibiting their operation on campus. In response, the university established the Center for Student Advocacy and Community to support all students. Some feel this is a loss of safe spaces for minority groups, while others see no change. Full-time staff members are unable to speak about the situation, but students can reach out to legal counsel. Despite the loss of the centers, the university is still hosting programming and providing student support. The goal is to create an inclusive environment for everyone. Since August 31st, the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been closed after the passing of the SB-17 law prohibiting DEI offices from operating on university campuses. This also disbanded the LGBTQ Plus Resource Center. In compliance with the bill, the UH System established the Center for Student Advocacy and Community to support diverse groups with resources and programs. This new Center's purpose is to aid all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender, to access services and resources for them to succeed in the community and graduate. While some people on campus saw this as a loss of safe spaces for minority groups, other students saw no change at all. We asked around to understand how the campus community was coping after this change. We talked with Mina, a liaison at the Council for Cultural Activities, about how the bill striking out DEI efforts on campus impacts the ability to host cultural programming and events. A lot of full-time staff members are unable to speak about the situation for fear of repercussions, but students are encouraged to reach out to the legal counsel from AUH. This can be distressing to many students to not be able to seek clarity on the matter as much as they would like. In conversation with Samantha Tadeghi of the Student Program Board, a university-sponsored organization, we find out, As we can see, different things, like cultural programming, regular social programming, campus traditions, and funding by the USOs for DEI events are still prevalent. We also spoke with the Women and Gender Resource Center and its executives to see what they are doing this school year. We also spoke with the Women and Gender Resource Center and its executives to see what they are doing this year. After talking with student leaders, student staff, and professional staff, we understand that the university is still hosting programming and providing student support. While the loss of a center named for this purpose can significantly be felt as a student population in calculation with the university's system, After talking with student leaders, student staff, and professional staff, we understand that the university is still hosting programming and providing student support. While the loss of a center named for this purpose can significantly be felt as a student population in collaboration with the university's system, we are still striving to make this a place where one and all feel seen, heard, and welcomed.