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University of Idaho dissolves DEI offices, reassigns staff after State Board resolution
Summary
President C. Scott Green told JFAC the University of Idaho shut down multiple campus DEI offices after the State Board of Education’s resolution and reassigned affected staff to broadly serving roles under the Dean of Students; some services were discontinued and one position (LGBTQ) was not refilled.
The University of Idaho told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27 that it has dissolved multiple diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices in response to a State Board of Education policy decision and has reassigned staff into broader student services roles.
President C. Scott Green said the university waited for the State Board’s resolution and then implemented changes. “We shut down our offices at the end of 2024,” Green said, listing units that were dissolved: the Office of Equity and Diversity, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Black/African American Cultural Center, the LGBTQA office and the Women’s Center. He added that the chief diversity officer position was eliminated and the individual who held that role will serve as “Executive Director of Tribal Relations,” which the university retained.
Why it matters: The reorganization affects staff roles and student supports. Committeemembers questioned whether employees retained jobs, whether services would continue and whether any savings would revert to state funds.
Green described a reallocation of responsibilities to the Dean of Students and said staff positions were rewritten and reassigned. “The positions…aren’t doing the same things. Job descriptions have been completely rewritten, they now work for the Dean of Students,” he said. Green confirmed one FTE in the LGBTQ role left before the reorganization and that the position has not been refilled; he said the university may repurpose that FTE after assessing needs.
The university said core student support programs remain available, including the Vandal Success program and a newly opened first‑generation student support unit. Green said those programs are available to all students and are being emphasized to serve students who may need tutoring, counseling or help navigating financial aid and campus resources.
Committee follow‑up and documents: Senators and representatives asked for details on duties and current roles for employees who were reassigned. Green and his staff agreed to provide updated job descriptions and to explain how services will be delivered going forward.
Ending: University officials said the reorganization was intended to maintain services to students while complying with the State Board resolution. The committee requested documentation of new roles and any budget effects; no formal vote or budget action was taken.
