Students Defend DEI at UF

Updated: Oct 6

As programs are dismantled, student leaders work to keep inclusion alive

By: Emma Brugna & Madhupriya Metukuru

“We are the Gator Nation, a diverse community dedicated to excellence in education...and shaping a better future for Florida, the nation, and our world. Our mission is to enable our students to lead and influence the next generation and beyond for economic, social, and societal benefit.” - University of Florida, Mission Statement

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not intangible ideals or political buzzwords, they are pillars of our campus culture. To be a student at the University of Florida is to be embraced by a community that values you not in spite of your differences, but because of them.

From classrooms to student organizations, UF fosters an environment where all people feel seen, heard, and respected. It's a place where individual identities are celebrated and where open dialogue is encouraged, making room for growth, understanding, and unity. Being part of this community means learning from one another’s experiences and working together to build a more inclusive and supportive future for everyone.

This is what UF stands for as an institution. These goals are inextricably tied to the existence and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

UF has begun the process of systematically removing DEI initiatives from campus, from firing most staff associated with DEI as well as closing CIME, the Center for Multicultural Engagement, offices dedicated to being safe havens for minorities in the Reitz Union.

They have also pulled funding from keystone events held by Hispanic Student Association, Black Student Union, and Asian American Student Union. These events are extremely popular and signal to incoming students that UF not only sees them, but encourages them to be themselves.

Through conversations with individuals who are actively involved in advancing DEI within organizations at the University of Florida, we've gathered a range of perspectives on not only the importance of DEI initiatives, but also the real, lived impact they have on students, faculty, and the overall community on campus.

Ansh Parikh is president of the Indian Student Association as well as an agency head for Students Taking Action Against Racism (STAAR). He shares his dual perspective as being part of student government and head of one of the largest Asian organizations on campus.

“Unlike programs like the Center for Multicultural Engagement and its several offices under the Diversity division that experienced closures over the last year, Students Taking Action Against Racism is funded via student activities fees that fund Student Government initiatives like our agency. As a member of the executive branch of Student Government, STAAR has the empowerment to reach thousands of Gators through Student Government channels (i.e. social media) about diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are able to promote our signature programs,service events, and curriculum presentation programs — all in strides to make up for the lack thereof due to the state’s legislation."

He added, "As mentioned before, STAAR is not funded via the state but by the student fees that fund Student Government, and so we have not explicitly lost funding. However, the impacts do trickle down. Given the loss of the Office of Diversity and its programs, STAAR has had to pick up the pace in terms of becoming a more all-inclusive agency, in effort to make up for the programs the university now lacks...”

Without explicit university support, students have had to shoulder more and more of the work themselves which although rewarding, is an arduous task. Mandates have made it so faculty cannot express support or even voice their stances on DEI initiatives even in a neutral, classroom setting. This has forced students to adapt.

“The Indian Students Association has also been impacted in a similar manner, as student organizations are funded via Student Government. Although unlike fellow CRASH organizations, we do not host a pre-arrival program for first-year students, we have also felt an increasing responsibility to promote diversity on our campus and increase our efforts to ensure Gators from our community feel represented in student activities — especially as soon as they set foot on campus.”

Parikh’s sentiments speak to the crux of our belief. UF students believe in DEI. They recognize its importance, and are not willing to be dissuaded. DEI has not only affected multicultural organizations.

Sara Ismail, Social Media and MarketingExecutive for HerCampusFL, an organization dedicated to supporting women’s rights shares her experiences in lieu of recent legislative changes.

“With everything going on with new delegations and laws it is becoming harder for us to advocate for this kind of expectation, but something I can confidently say that I am doing in my role as president is continuing to foster this kind of expectation within our organizational culture," Ismail said.

She added, "Even if on paper we may not be allowed to follow through with various DEI policies, the people in our organization understand how important and crucial it is to maintain that legacy. Leading a group of empowering women with the same stances on equality has been an honor and a privilege and there is no doubt in my mind that our organization will continue to grow and expand with this strong culture we have built.”

DEI at its core is a way to bring people together across campus. Its effects are noticeable even in Greek Life. As Vice President of Inclusion in Pi Beta Phi, Aurora Lai has had the opportunity to plan and coordinate events that highlight the different lived experiences of the members of the sorority and their cultures.

“It is so beautiful to witness and watch as everyone recognizes and educates themselves on traditions and practices that they might not experience but empathize with those who do,” Lai said.

Within Pi Beta Phi, each member is required to attend at least one inclusion event, providing an opportunity to gain new perspectives and insights into cultures apart from their own. These experiences ultimately strengthen the sisterhood and create a more inclusive community within the chapter.

“Although I’ve had to navigate and overcome DEI restrictions, I ultimately believe that it is worthwhile. DEI inspires us to become more empathetic, understanding, and well rounded individuals, so, to me, it is worth fighting the push against it.”

Brooklynn Quick, Vice President of DEI for Alpha Delta Pi and previous ambassador for Students Taking Action Against Racism has also had the struggle of combatting DEI attacks while leading inclusion efforts within her chapter.

“Working to educate and support my peers and fellow chapter women to create safe spaces seems so simple yet makes such an unimaginable impact not just for me but for everyone around us,” Quick said. “And I’m only so lucky to be a part of two organizations that are so inclusive, thoughtful, and supportive towards me and my work despite the current nationwide climate surrounding and condemning DEI. Yet despite these constant attacks, DEI lives on and proud through the students who advocate for it relentlessly everyday.”

The consequences of this legislation have already begun to be felt. Students may begin to feel unsafe, unsupported, and unseen, an outcome that should never be acceptable.

The existence of DEI is not a political issue; it’s a moral one. As Senator Cory Booker said, “It's not left or right. It's right or wrong.” Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives support individuals across many identities, including race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, age, socioeconomic background, religion, and national origin.

These programs are essential in creating a campus culture where everyone feels valued, represented, and empowered, exactly what UF has and should continue to strive for.

Emma Brugna is one of Rowdy’s Co-Editor-in-Chiefs and known for falling down every staircase she’s ever walked down. Madhupriya Metukuru is Rowdy’s Print Editorial Director and resident trend forecaster.