DELIVERED VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
July 1, 2025
The Honorable Amy Grady
The
Honorable Joe Ellington
Joint Committee on Education
Joint Committee on
Education
amy.grady@wvsenate.gov
joe.ellington@wvhouse.gov
Dear Chairs Grady and Ellington:
Per West Virginia Code §18B-1G-4, state institutions of higher education are required to submit a report detailing steps taken to comply with the law prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers.
On January 30, following the issuance of Executive Order 3-25 by Governor Morrisey, West Virginia University (WVU) closed its Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In its place, a new office – Campus Engagement and Compliance (CEC) – was opened with different responsibilities. CEC’s primary focus is adherence to Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For Fiscal Year 2026, with the closure of the DEI office, three positions – a DEI Program Coordinator, a DEI Special Events Coordinator, and a DEI Director at Potomac State College – have been eliminated. Additionally, certain programming has been stopped or changed to comply with the new article.
As to the further restrictions in the law, WVU does not use race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin standards for admission, employment, or promotion. We do not contract with a third party to promote DEI, and we do not require DEI statements, give preference based on DEI, or require participation in DEI training as a condition of employment.
WVU is committed to maintaining full compliance with all federal and state laws. Going forward, we will continue to make more changes, such as updating websites, refocusing certain initiatives, and advising faculty on course content in preparation for the Fall 2025 semester.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Travis Mollohan, AVP for Government Relations, at travis.mollohan@mail.wvu.edu.
Sincerely,
E. Gordon Gee