The Faculty Senate met on March 7, 2025, in room 307 of the Consortium Library. Photo by Matthew Schmitz.
The Faculty Senate of the University of Alaska Anchorage passed two resolutions on Friday, March 7, calling on the University of Alaska Board of Regents to rescind a motion related to diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI.
The Board of Regents — which oversees the entire University of Alaska system — passed a motion on Feb. 21 directing universities to remove the terms “diversity,” “equity,” and "inclusion" from university webpages and communications.
The motion also directed universities to remove the terms from the names of departments and positions and begin assessing and changing programs to comply with federal guidance.
As reported by The Northern Light, positions and department names have changed as a result of the motion.
The first resolution passed by the Faculty Senate, named the “Faculty Senate Resolution on Diversity and Inclusion,” called on the Board of Regents to “immediately withdraw or vacate its … Motion related to ‘diversity,’ ‘equity,’ and ‘inclusion.’”
It passed with 27 votes in favor.
The resolution asked for the Board of Regents to give notice and have public discussions on any future motions related to DEI.
It also asked for there to be a note added to UAA’s website explaining changes to the second aspiration of UAA’s strategic plan following the Board of Regents’ motion.
The second aspiration used to state, “We create a culture of equity and inclusion by embracing our diversity.” It has since been updated to state, “We embrace our role as a trusted and respected community partner.”
The second resolution passed was sponsored by the Faculty Senate Diversity Committee. It is called the “Faculty Senate Resolution in Support of Free Speech and the Values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”
It also asked for the Board of Regents to rescind their DEI motion.
It also passed with 27 voting in favor. Faculty Senate members clapped when the resolution was passed.
The resolution asked for the board to affirm freedom of speech and academic freedom.
The Board of Regents’ motion included an acknowledgement of free speech and academic freedom. As reported by The Northern Light, UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell sent an email to the UAA community recognizing free speech rights of the university community amid backlash to the motion.
The resolution asked the Board of Regents to recognize “the particular importance of supporting Alaska Native students” and acknowledge “the valuable role of university staff who support diversity and inclusion initiatives.”
A call to support DEI-related programs was in the resolution as well.
The resolution asked that the Board of Regents endorse “student support services that use evidence-based practices that promote equal opportunity and address demonstrated needs within specific populations as well as student support efforts that seek to build bridges between groups and acknowledge the diversity and complexity within them.”
Also, a commitment to DEI general education requirements was included in the resolution.
The University of Alaska requires students to complete classes related to diversity and inclusion to graduate, according to the UAA catalog.
The resolution ended with, “be it finally resolved, that the Faculty Senate supports maintaining an academic environment that upholds both excellence and welcoming inclusion and, as Chancellor Parnell puts it, ‘affirms the dignity and worth of every human being,’ where all members of our community can engage in respectful dialogue about how best to achieve these vital goals.”
This report is part of an investigative series on recent changes related to DEI at UAA and will be followed by additional coverage.
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