Risk of losing $1B leads U of Missouri to end DEI position, continue programs
August 8, 2024
By Joe Mueller | The Center Square
University of Missouri President Mun Choi had sleepless nights thinking about losing $1 billion in state funding due to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
On Tuesday, Choi helped his insomnia by eliminating what the university called the “Inclusion, Diversity and Equity” office. He reassigned programs to the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of the Provost and the Division of Marketing and Communications. Choi estimated the cost savings of the changes to be $6 million.
“I always think about our support from the state of Missouri because it’s the largest single-source of revenue for the university,” Choi told reporters. “So, yes, it does keep me up at night, not only because of DEI legislative mandates but all of our activities.”
Last week, Maurice Gipson, vice chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, announced he was leaving the university after approximately four years to be interim president at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Ark. Choi said ongoing conversations with Gipson during the last few months and current attitudes toward DEI led to the change.
In an email sent Tuesday to the campus, Choi noted 14 states had bills eliminating DEI become law. While other state universities laid off staff when DEI was eliminated, no staff will be eliminated at Missouri other than the vice chancellor position.