By Jolie Peal, Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be dissolving its Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced the decision in an email to students, faculty and staff last Tuesday. The move also eliminates the position of Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion.
In his message, Bennett said the centralized office is no longer right for the campus. Instead, he tasked several offices with building a welcoming environment for campus. The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor will focus on faculty, the Office of Business & Finance on staff, and the Office of Student Life on students.
“These offices will closely coordinate with each other and with colleges and support units to ensure that each member of our campus community knows that they are valued and supported,” Bennett said in the email.
The Diversity Advisory Board will also move up to serve as the Chancellor’s Advisory Board on Community and Belonging.
The Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center and the Gender and Sexuality Center will remain open, according to the university.
There’s no set date for when the office will be diffused. A university spokesperson said UNL wants to help those impacted transition into new jobs over the next few months.
The eliminated office is one change the university is implementing moving forward.
The chancellor will be adding the President of Faculty Senate, President of Staff Senate, and the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska President to his cabinet — or someone they designate.
The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will become the Vice Chancellor for Student Life. The Office of Research & Economic Development will now be called the Office of Research and Innovation. The university will also focus on improving the hiring process.
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