Item 2 - Draft Recommendation Condemning the Effects of SB 17 — original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommenda;on Number: (20240520-01): Condemning the Impact of Senate Bill 17 on Higher Educa:on and Advoca:ng for Inclusive Educa:onal Prac:ces WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission of the City of Aus;n acknowledges the cri;cal role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ini;a;ves in fostering a welcoming and suppor;ve environment for all students and staff members at public universi;es; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), which mandates the closure of DEI offices and prohibits DEI programs and trainings at Texas public universi;es, has had a profound nega;ve impact on the University of Texas at Aus;n (UT Aus;n) and other public ins;tu;ons within the city; and WHEREAS, the closure of DEI offices has resulted in the dissolu;on of programs such as the Mul;cultural Engagement Center, the Gender and Sexuality Center, and Monarch, which provided essen;al support to marginalized student groups and undocumented students; and WHEREAS, UT Aus;n and other universi;es have been forced to lay off dozens of staff members, many of whom were previously dedicated to DEI-related work, thereby reducing the support available to students from diverse backgrounds; and WHEREAS, the implementa;on of SB 17 has led to significant disrup;ons in the academic and social experiences of students, causing a sense of loss and aliena;on, as expressed by students at public protests; and WHEREAS, the Commission recognizes the detrimental impact of SB 17 on the mental and emo;onal wellbeing of students and staff members, as well as on the academic reputa;on and compe;;veness of UT Aus;n and other public universi;es; and WHEREAS, Governor Greg AbboZ has announced plans to implement further compliance measures to ensure the complete ban on DEI prac;ces, which threatens to exacerbate the nega;ve effects on higher educa;on within the city; and WHEREAS, the Commission believes that educa;onal ins;tu;ons serve as key anchors for the wellbeing and progress of the city and that aZacks on higher educa;on undermine the social and economic fabric of Aus;n; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Commission strongly condemns the adverse effects of Senate Bill 17 on the wellbeing of students and staff members at UT Aus;n and other public universi;es within the city. The Commission calls upon the administra;on of UT Aus;n and other affected ins;tu;ons to seek all possible avenues to mi;gate the nega;ve impacts of SB 17 on their campuses, including exploring alterna;ve sources of support for affected programs and staff members. The Commission recommends the City Council to instruct the city’s lobbyists to ac;vely oppose any future legisla;on that threatens the integrity and inclusiveness of higher educa;on within the state of Texas, par;cularly measures that seek to dismantle DEI ini;a;ves and related programs. The Commission reaffirms its commitment to promo;ng diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of life within the City of Aus;n and urges the community to stand in solidarity with students and staff members affected by SB 17. The Commission recommends the City Clerk to forward a copy of this resolu;on to the Governor of Texas, the Lieutenant Governor, members of the Texas Legislature, the President of the University of Texas at Aus;n, and other relevant stakeholders. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: AZest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)