Purdue University sunsets diversity, equity, inclusion programs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is officially sunsetting its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

According to a letter sent out to university staff and faculty on Friday, Patrick Wolfe, the university’s provost and executive vice president for academic and diversity at Purdue University, said that the university will sunset historical DEI activities and initiatives starting Friday. This letter was provided to FOX59/CBS4 by our news partners at WLFI in Lafayette on Friday.

This comes after officials with Indiana University announced earlier this month that it would close their Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also signed an executive order earlier this year

that eliminated DEI initiatives from state government.

According to the Purdue letter, Wolfe said that sunsetting these DEI activities and policies are a “necessary part” of Purdue’s future as a public university and state educational institution. Wolfe said this is based on “an increasing number of actions and policy measures at both the federal and state level.”

As part of the sunsetting of the programs, the letter reads that the university’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging will close, as well as “related activities” in the university’s colleges and departments.

“Staff colleagues working in these areas will have the opportunity to interview for current vacancies in other areas,” the letter read.

Officials said that cultural centers will continue to serve as “open resources for the entire Purdue community” and will continue to provide support for all students. These offices will be a part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life, the letter read.

“As we refocus our efforts on the success of all students in keeping with our land-grant mission and values, our team will be with you every step of the way through these updates,” the letter concludes.”