State Republican leaders passed a resolution in hopes of defuding the University of Tennessee’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
The Tennessee Republican Executive Committee passed the resolution that strips the office of $5 million it receives from the state every year.
The move came just days after a memo was released urging UT faculty, students and staff to have holiday parties with, “no emphasis on religion or culture.” One of the guidelines also suggests not having a Secret Santa party, instead calling it a, “secret gift exchange.”
Republicans weren't happy with the memo.
“To talk about how there’s no need to have Santa Clause at our Christmas parties, that isn't trying to be inclusive, it's just stupidity,” GOP Chairman Ryan Haynes said.
The Executive Committee overwhelmingly passed the resolution over the weekend. In it, the committee said the Office of Diversity and Division has brought “national embarrassment to Tennessee.”
Democrats, however, said the GOP has focused on the wrong issue.
“[Republicans] use this as a smoke screen,” Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini said. “What they're trying to hide is that they're not doing anything at the state legislature to help Tennesseans”
Mancini said she was confident the resolution would pass if lawmakers decide to take up the issue when they return in January. She said her party will not actively fight the passage of the resolution because they will be focusing on other issues.
“Don’t we have other things to worry about? People are in pain out there, you know?” Mancini said.
Governor Bill Haslam has yet to answer whether he thinks the office should be de-funded. He said the memo has been too divisive.
“The office of diversity at the University of Tennessee went too far by telling adults how they should act at holiday parties,” Haslam said.
The resolution is not law yet. Lawmakers will debate whether to sponsor the resolution when the legislative session begins January 12.
UT System President Joe DiPietro released the following statement:
“We are disappointed by this and believe that advancing and supporting diversity and inclusion throughout the UT System is important because it is needed, is the right thing to do, supports providing the proper learning environment, and better prepares our students to enter the workforce. We hope to have an opportunity to discuss more about the value of diversity and inclusion efforts to the UT System and all of Tennessee higher education when the General Assembly returns in January.”
