The Impact of Diversity Programs at Utah’s Public Colleges and Universities: Data and Concerns
In recent news, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has raised concerns about the effectiveness of diversity programs at the state’s public colleges and universities. Cox questioned the outcomes and impact of these programs, which prompted the introduction of House Bill 261 (HB261) during the legislative session. The bill, which has now been signed into law, mandates that the state’s eight public colleges revamp their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
However, the school administrators have defended their DEI initiatives, stating that they have provided data to demonstrate the positive impact of these programs on marginalized students. Each institution has chosen to focus on different populations, such as Latinos, women, and first-generation students. While it is challenging to analyze the holistic impact of DEI efforts across Utah colleges, the schools point to data that shows improvement in graduation and enrollment rates, which are considered essential goals of these initiatives. Additionally, creating a safe environment for students is another objective of DEI efforts.
There is concern among educators and administrators that the gains made through previous DEI initiatives could be lost due to the new law. The sponsor of HB261 has admitted to not having data to support the need for the bill, particularly regarding white students being left behind. In reality, white students in Utah’s higher education institutions have continued to outpace their representation in the state’s population, and their enrollment numbers have remained steady.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights from the DEI efforts at each university and college:
Utah Valley University (UVU) has focused on selected groups of students who are more likely to drop out of college. Their efforts have led to increased retention rates for female students by 6%, first-generation college students by 10%, Latino students by 16%, Pacific Islanders by 23%, and veterans by 37%. While female students now have similar retention rates as men, minority racial and ethnic groups still lag behind white students by at least 5 percentage points. UVU’s overall graduation rate has increased by 24% over the past five years.
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) aimed to mirror the racial and ethnic demographics of Salt Lake County in its student enrollment. They have made progress in this regard, particularly with Latino students. The student body is now more diverse than the county’s population, and SLCC has the highest percentage of Latino students among all colleges and universities in the state. Efforts to close the enrollment gap have included providing childcare assistance and mental health services for veterans, as well as eliminating admissions fees for low-income households.
The University of Utah (U) compiles an annual report that showcases its DEI work across various offices and centers for students. Recent highlights include the hosting of a powwow by the American Indian Resource Center, grants provided by the Dream Center for DACA students, and workshops on bias and microaggressions organized by the Office for Inclusive Excellence. The university also has a Racist & Bias Incident Response Team to address incidents of discrimination on campus. The U tracks metrics for DEI success in both enrollment and health outcomes, particularly in their medical school program.
Utah Tech University focuses on DEI efforts that support students from rural communities. Currently, 60% of their student population comes from rural areas. Utah Tech has also made strides in enrolling and graduating more students of color, and the change of their name from one associated with slavery and the Civil War Confederacy has had a positive impact.
Utah State University (USU) has prioritized increasing the number of first-generation students attending school through programs like Aggies First Scholars. In the first year of this program, enrollment of first-generation students increased by 16%. USU also focuses on supporting students of color, LGBTQ students, students with disabilities, and international students. They have created a division dedicated to DEI to provide support for these populations.
Weber State University has concentrated on improving retention and graduation rates for first-generation students. Over the past decade, the retention rate at Weber State has improved by 11.5 percentage points, and the completion rate for bachelor’s degrees has increased by 10 percentage points. The university has also closed the gap in retaining Latino students, who are more likely than white students to be the first in their family to graduate.
Southern Utah University (SUU) measures the success of its DEI initiatives through graduation and retention rates, particularly for lower-income students. SUU has not raised tuition for five years to keep college affordable and offers an online bachelor’s degree for students who dropped out previously. These efforts have resulted in a 15% increase in the retention rate and a 22% increase in the graduation rate over the past decade. SUU now boasts one of the highest graduation rates in the state.
Snow College, the smallest public higher education institution in Utah, has focused on creating a welcoming environment through DEI initiatives. While specific numbers were not provided, the college has hosted events to make students feel welcome and has worked to increase diversity in its marketing materials. Snow College tracks the success of its efforts through an annual report to the Student Affairs Division.
In conclusion, Utah’s public colleges and universities have implemented various DEI programs with a focus on different populations. While each institution has demonstrated positive outcomes through their efforts, concerns have arisen with the new law mandating changes to DEI initiatives. It remains to be seen how these programs will evolve and whether they will continue to make progress towards creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
