UNL shuts down Office of Diversity and Inclusion amid restructuring

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Chancellor Rodney Bennett made the announcement Tuesday in an email to UNL students, faculty and staff.

The position of vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion will also be eliminated.

Bennett said the changes are part of a restructuring of his leadership team designed to make the university more efficient.

“I fully grasp the weight of this decision and its implication, but a centralized approach to this work is no longer right for our institution,” he said in a press release.

The chancellor stressed that although the diversity office is closing, diversity remains a priority for the university.

“Let me be unequivocal — we will steadfastly uphold the principle that every person and every interaction matters, and we will continue to recruit and support faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and identities,” Bennett wrote.

The Diversity Advisory Board will be “elevated” to the Chancellor’s Advisory Board on Community and Belonging, he said.

Bennett is making several other changes, including the addition of faculty, staff and student representatives to his Cabinet.