AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas law set to go into effect on Jan. 1 is affecting jobs at public universities, including the University of Texas at Austin.
According to a report from our news partners at the Austin American-Statesman, 14 UT fellows will no longer have jobs at the university because of Senate Bill 17, a new law that limits diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at state public institutions.
Under the legislation, such institutions are required to end differential treatment or "special benefits" based on race or ethnicity and programs "designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation."
The Public Voices Fellowship usually lasts one year long and provides its fellows with mentorship and training about research. The fellowship is part of The OpEd Project, a national program that aims to diversify and "change who writes history."
UT was one of the fellowship's 35 partners and one of the only public universities involved.
The Statesman reports that the fellowship was open to all but aimed to amplify underrepresented voices, specifically women and people of color.
UT has begun releasing guidelines internally for how it will comply with SB 17, but the university has yet to release complete guidance publicly.
To learn more, read the Statesman's full report.