The Board of Visitors affirmed the importance of various diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the University in the full Board meeting Friday from 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Several members also debated tracking data related to political affiliations of faculty members as a form of measuring diversity. University President Jim Ryan opened the discussion with an overview of the history and importance of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University. The University has formally engaged in DEI initiatives for the last 18 years, with a current annual budget — which supports the 55 dedicated DEI positions at the University — of about $5.8 million.
