Campus Reform Reports on UWA DEI Plot Uncovered by AIM Video

September 2, 2025

By AIM Staff

In March 2024, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed S.B. 129, a law broadly prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the state. The law, which took effect in October, bans DEI offices and prohibits public university employees from promoting “divisive concepts” as part of their job duties.

But a hidden-camera video published by Accuracy in Media shows the University of West Alabama (UWA) in Livingston seeking ways to maintain DEI programming while avoiding penalties. Dean of Students Byron Thetford admitted the university is “still looking for ways to provide for our students any way that we can,” and described efforts as “a marketing thing.”

“We are all still partnering to work together to offer programming and events for [DEI]. We’re just being more mindful about how we go about it,” Thetford said in the recording.

A UWA spokesperson told Campus Reform that “The University of West Alabama is fully compliant with S.B. 129. With the passing of the law, the Chief Diversity Officer position was eliminated.”

Read the full story here.

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