Staff members at the University of Virginia were captured on video discussing their efforts to rebrand diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to avoid federal scrutiny and potential loss of funding. The video, obtained by Fox News Digital, shows staff members at the university changing program names to avoid detection, such as rebranding ‘Queer Brunch’ to ‘Cozy Brunch’ and ‘Comida Comunidad’ to ‘Food and Community’.
The video was obtained by Fox News Digital and shared with the public, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of DEI initiatives at the university. The university has since issued a statement asserting that the video’s content does not relate to recent agreements and that the individuals in the video are not representing official university policies.
The UVA’s actions have come under scrutiny after Trump’s administration began its push to rid DEI from the federal government, military, and education system, arguing that it promotes discrimination and favoritism. Universities across the country, including the University of Virginia, have been facing pressure to rein in DEI initiatives.
The video also showed that the university’s former president was ousted in June over DEI concerns from the Trump administration. As DEI continues to face more scrutiny within universities, government, and corporations, consumers’ research director Will Hild has pointed out that entities will not give up DEI without a fight and will start rebranding existing efforts.
Overall, the video has sparked debate about the effectiveness and transparency of DEI, and has sparked a wave of criticism from political groups and parents. The University of Virginia has stated that it is committed to following the DOJ’s guidance on civil rights laws and that its mission remains unchanged despite the current political climate.