The Keizer Community Diversity Engagement Committee voted on March 6 to keep its current name, the Keizer Community Diversity Engagement Committee, after multiple public comments and an internal debate about whether to remove or alter the word “diversity.”

The committee’s vote followed public testimony from Keizer residents who urged the committee to keep “diversity” in the name. Jacqueline (Jackie) Green, a Keizer resident, told the group, “I don't think changing the name of Keizer Community Diversity Group is a good idea … changing your name will leave out part of the community connection.” Michael Welsh, another resident, said removing the term would be harmful, calling it “appalling that elected officials…have chosen to undermine the very idea of inclusion by calling diversity a weaponized term.”

The name change was prompted by a city council review of committee structures. City staff had relayed council recommendations to the committee and asked CDEC to provide its own recommendations back to council before the council votes on any final resolution. Committee members and several residents said the word “diversity” signals inclusion and that removing it would undercut the committee’s purpose.

Tammy Kuntz, chair of the committee, and other members framed their position in procedural and community terms. Committee member Carrie Brown argued that diversity, equity and inclusion are interconnected and that removing “diversity” would erode the committee’s mission. Younger speakers who attended school locally also addressed the committee: one youth speaker said losing constitution week or other observances would affect classroom civics instruction and urged the committee to preserve its educational work.

After discussion the committee made and passed a motion to keep the name. The recorder called the roll and recorded the vote as passing (ayes recorded; motion passes). The committee also noted that the city council has not presented objective evidence that keeping “diversity” in the name would jeopardize federal funding for the city, and members said they would revisit the issue if future legal developments require it.

The committee will forward its recommendation and the record of community comment to the Keizer City Council as part of the council’s planned review of committee structures and resolutions.