NU regents strike DEI language from bylaws; some students worry of ripple effects

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday voted to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion language in the bylaws.

The move sparks fear that it will close programs across all campuses, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This comes as the minority population at UNL grows.

Last fall, UNL reported a 6% increase in biracial students, a 1% increase in Hispanic students, and a 16% increase in Asian students.

But there was a 10% decrease in Black and African-American students.

SEE ALSO: ‘DEI means all of us’: Protesters call on University of Nebraska to scrap changes to bylaws

The university said this change is needed to comply with new federal guidelines.

“By not doing this, we may lose health funding grants,” said Jim Scheer, vice chair of the Board of Regents. “The same students we are talking about that get recognized and feeling inclusive or important and helpful, without those Pell grants, wouldn’t be there.”

But for students like Tia Chism, Juju Lado and Riada Riyangow — members of the Afrikan People’s Union at UNL — this feels personal.

“APU is a family,” said Chism, the president. “It’s a place where I can come and be around people with my same interests, people who face the same struggles as me as well.

The organization members said without DEI, they’re left feeling vulnerable.

“We’re under a lot of scrutiny, like, if we don’t achieve to the best of our ability, we have a lot to lose and less to gain,” Riyangow said. “I think that’s hard because I’m an immigrant, came here, and I feel like I have a lot of obstacles against me, myself and I.”

Students said campus may never feel the same.

They worry this will decrease Black enrollment even more.

“When the university chose to eliminate DEI, it felt like they were saying, ‘You don’t matter as much,'” Lado said.

The students said they already felt they had to work twice as hard as everyone else.

But they had a word of encouragement: Remember, you still belong here.