Jacksonville State University is the first public university in Alabama to announce it will comply with new legislation passed by the Alabama Legislature in March and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey that prohibits the spending of state funds on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices or initiatives.

JSU President Don Killingsworth Jr. said in a university-wide announcement that the school will officially close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion as of May 31.

In a message to students, faculty and staff, Killingsworth wrote that the decision was rooted in compliance with new laws and was “not made lightly but is necessary.”

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“All current staff in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion have been offered and accepted positions in other departments on campus,” he announced. “In accordance with state mandates, the decision to close the office prior to the Oct. 1 deadline is to allow these staff members sufficient time to transition into their new roles before the busy start of the fall semester.”

“As we navigate this transition, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all members of the Jackson State University community.”

The new law was introduced in the Alabama Legislature earlier this year by state Senator Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and state Representative Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), with unanimous support from Republicans in both houses, and was ultimately signed by Governor Ivey in late March.

The bill puts several prohibitions into law that will take effect on October 1, 2024. State agencies, public schools and state universities cannot use taxpayer funds for DEI offices or initiatives. State agencies are also prohibited from directing or coercing students or employees to endorse, adopt or adhere to any of the nine divisive concepts defined in the law.

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The law makes it clear that the law does not prevent students, faculty, organizations, or associations from hosting DEI programs or discussions that may include divisive concepts, so long as state funds are not used.

Other states across the country have implemented similar measures, most notably Florida, where the state's largest public university, the University of Florida, recently Eliminate the diversity office.Instead, they invested their $5 million DEI budget into faculty retirement funds.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson