Over the past two decades, the University of Alaska system has become a hotbed for hard-leftist projects, programs and curriculum – pushing DEI, critical race theory and LGBTQ activism.

This includes mandatory DEI classes, school “Safe Zones” where traditional moral and social perspectives are unwelcome, myriad courses that aggressively push critical race and gender theories, the construction of a modern LGBTQ “Pride Center” in the heart of the Anchorage campus, gender-neutral bathrooms and dormitory assignments, and the deployment diversity officers to ensure compliance across all sectors of university life.

Many of these projects are now facing serious challenges after the University of Alaska Board of Regents voted 9-1 on Feb. 21 to review all programs and operations to ensure they do not run afoul of federal and state laws, regulations, orders and guidance.

It is clear, however, that many entrenched professors and campus staff are adamantly opposed to the changes, which could prove problematic.

Specifically, the regents directed UA President Pat Pitney to “take all necessary actions to comply with recent federal executive orders and applicable agency guidance.” This includes making changes to ensure university websites and other electronic or print material representing each university no longer refer to “affirmative action,” “DEI” or “diversity, equity and inclusion,” and other associated terms. Additionally, the regents want all staff position titles purged of these references.

The regents’ decision comes on the heels of a series of executive orders from President Trump, which threaten to pull federal funding from institutions that pursue these divisive political and cultural ideologies, especially as they pertain to racially motivated decisions regarding employment, student enrollment and institutional programing. With roughly 20% of its funding (more than $240 million) derived from federal taxpayer dollars, the University of Alaska system has a lot at stake if it fails to comply.

How quickly or faithfully the statewide university system complies with these new directives is uncertain. The three main campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau have serious work to do, after years of weaving leftist philosophy into their campus life and academics.

While University of Alaska websites have already begun scrubbing public references to DEI terminology, it remains to be seen whether the changes will be more than mere semantic tweaks to course titles, resources, grant applications and staff positions.

It is clear, however, that many entrenched professors and campus staff are adamantly opposed to the changes, which could prove problematic.

A Feb. 27 article in the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, student newspaper reports that dozens of faculty members have engaged in public protests against the regents’ decision. Staff at UAA and UAS have also voiced their defiant opposition to the changes.

Below is a small sampling of DEI links that, as of Feb. 27, were still live on University of Alaska websites for the Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau campuses.

— UAA Diversity and Inclusion general education requirement

— UAA Social Inclusion and Equity classes

— Incorporating DEI into UAA General Education Requirements at UAA

— UAS Critical Race Theory resources

— UAS Equity Teaching Guide

— UAF Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion series

— UAF Diversity and anti-racism tool kit

— Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at UAF

— UAA Pride Center and Multicultural Student Services

TAKING ACTION

— Click here to contact members of the UA Board of Regents.

— Click here for information on how to file a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Civil Rights Division.

Click here to support Alaska Watchman reporting.