Two of Tennessee’s most prominent universities — Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee — have been accused of rebranding their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to avoid Republican-led bans, according to undercover recordings obtained by Fox News Digital. Staff at the University of Tennessee (UT) admitted to changing the names of their DEI initiatives as part of a deliberate strategy to sidestep federal and state legislation targeting these programs. The staff described this as a ‘chess game,’ emphasizing the need to ‘use language as a tool for protection.’
At UT, a coordinator for the ‘Access & Engagement’ office, Will Eakin, revealed that they adjusted the language of their programs to navigate anti-DEI legislation. Eakin claimed that UT President Randy Boyd, a Republican, supports access and engagement initiatives and works closely with the university’s government relations team, which he called ‘incredible’ in guiding the school through legislative challenges. He explained that the renaming of DEI programs was done in 2020 to ‘get ahead of the curve’ and ensure their continuation despite scrutiny.
Vanderbilt University’s academic coach, Ivie Carmouche, confirmed that while the university’s DEI initiatives have been rebranded — such as the ‘Center for Student Wellbeing’ — the underlying mission remains unchanged. She explained that the shift in language was strategic, noting, ‘The language will be different because we have to be strategic.’ Both universities’ spokespeople denied any wrongdoing and reiterated their compliance with state and federal laws, stating their commitment to fostering inclusive environments.
The controversy has intensified with recent legal battles over DEI policies. A federal judge recently issued a temporary restraining order on Mississippi’s DEI ban, and the Department of Homeland Security canceled $18.5 million in Biden-era grants allocated to LGBTQ and DEI programs. These developments have heightened tensions over the role of DEI initiatives in higher education and the push by Republican lawmakers to limit or eliminate such programs.