By UAS Whalesong

This is a developing story.

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate students are inviting all UA students to sign a letter protesting the UA Board of Regents’ recent action to remove DEI language from university websites and other publications. The letter demands the Feb 21 motion be immediately withdrawn.

The motion was not listed on the board’s agenda. The students called that a tactic to “avoid public testimony and outcry.”  

The board said it took the action to comply with Trump administration executive orders to no longer refer to “affirmative action,” or “DEI,” nor utilize the words “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” or other associated terms. In place of the words, the motion states the UA System will maintain the “values of equal access and equal opportunity for all.”

The UAF student letter said the BoR motion is a “direct violation to our civil right to free speech and stifles the freedom of academic expression. The University of Alaska is built upon the free exchange of ideas, diversity, equity, and inclusion.” 

In a series of emails to the UAS community since the board’s action, Chancellor Aparna Palmer has maintained that academic freedom will be upheld and staff, faculty, and students will still be able to engage freely on campus.

Find the UAF student letter here.