Wisconsin university system reaches deal with Republicans that would scale back diversity positions

MADISON, Wis. — Faced with a demand from Republican lawmakers to axe diversity initiatives or go without raises and other funding, Universities of Wisconsin officials announced Friday that they’ve agreed to freeze hiring for diversity positions, drop an affirmative action faculty hiring program at UW-Madison and create a position at the flagship campus focused on conservative thought. “Our caucus objective has always been aimed at dismantling the bureaucracy and division related to DEI and reprioritizing our universities towards an emphasis on what matters — student success and achievement.” Republican lawmakers in June refused to release funding for a new engineering building at UW-Madison, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in October blocked pay raises for employees across the system until it cut spending on positions that promote diversity. Under the deal released Friday, the system would freeze hiring for diversity positions through the end of 2026 and shift at least 43 diversity positions to focus on “student success.” The system also would eliminate any statements supporting diversity on student applications. Appearing on a Wisconsin Policy Forum video forum later Friday, he called the deal “evolutionary” and that he hoped the agreement would mend the system’s frayed relationship with Republican legislators.