To the University Community:
I hope this message finds you well and that your summer has gotten off to a great start. I am writing today to update you on the impact on our campus of President Trump’s executive orders and Tennessee Public Chapter 458 concerning DEI at state colleges and universities, which became effective May 2025. As a result, the university administration has been conducting a comprehensive review of these legislative mandates and the actions needed to comply.
Public Chapter 458, known as the “Dismantling DEI Departments Act,” is now law in Tennessee. This state law and the recent executive orders prohibit public institutions of higher education, like MTSU, from maintaining, authorizing, or supporting programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While MTSU has not functioned in a way that discriminates against students, faculty, staff or our overall community, the parameters of the President’s executive orders and Tennessee law requires us to reevaluate our operations to ensure that we remain in compliance around how we support students, nonacademic programs, and some academic support programs. As we continue to assess the impact of these requirements on our operations, while also making certain that our current and future students feel supported, the University has been working over the past few months to sunset offices and programs at a time that would cause the least disruption to the campus community.
The University is required to make the necessary adjustments to achieve full compliance with state law and executive orders. This includes:
- Restructuring and, in some cases, the elimination of selected units, programs, and services that are explicitly focused on DEI efforts;
- Removing references to DEI on our website and in publications;
- Adjustments to scholarship programs that include DEI-based criteria, including donor-supported scholarships;
- Elimination of sponsorship and or support of any initiatives, programs, or services related to DEI or various affinity groups, both internal to the University and external as relates to community activities and functions.
As we continue to conduct a comprehensive review of our programs and services, it might be necessary to take additional actions to eliminate other programs, services, and/or personnel. While we recognize the impact this may have on many campus community members, we remain committed to fostering an environment where all students can thrive.
We understand that these actions may raise questions and concerns. Our administration is actively working to ensure that our university employees and students continue to feel supported as we address these challenges. We are aware that these laws will impact our community in a way that will cause angst and frustration, and we want to assure you that our commitment to serving all students has not changed. I want to assure our University community that we will continue to provide access and support for all our constituents, including faculty, staff, alumni, students, and friends, as we strive to fulfill our educational mission while enhancing the lives and opportunities for our entire Blue Raider family.
Sincerely,
Sidney A. McPhee
President
