Students protest on MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Memorial Student Center plaza in response to West Virginia Gov. Patrick MorriseyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s executive orders cutting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on Feb. 27, 2025, in Huntington.
Students protest on MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Memorial Student Center plaza in response to West Virginia Gov. Patrick MorriseyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s executive orders cutting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on Feb. 27, 2025, in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Marshall University is changing the name of its Division of Intercultural and Student Affairs as a result of the executive order by Gov. Patrick Morrisey in January to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities, procedures and programs.
According to an email sent to students by Marcie Simms, vice president for Intercultural and Student Affairs, her office will now be called the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDivision of Student Affairs.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Simms noted other changes to university offices in compliance with the executive order.
The WomenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s and Gender Center will now be called the WomenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Center. The Center for African American Studies, the LGBTQ+ Office and the International Student Office will be merged to create the Access, Connections and Engagement (ACE) Center.
According to SimmsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ email, the ACE Center will be located in East Hall and will serve first-generation, low-income, transfer and commuter, international and non-traditional students. She said the center will offer a resource space, reservable areas, a lounge, kitchen access, and opportunities for student-led workshops, discussions and networking events.
In accordance with the department changes, several administrative staff have also changed their titles.
Simms said changes have also been made to signature events, including the Lavender Graduation ceremony and Donning of the Kente, which will now be organized by student groups and hosted at an off-campus location.
Historically, Lavender Graduation celebrates graduating students within the LGBTQ+ community. The Donning of the Kente is a pre-commencement celebration celebrating students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, traditionally through the Center for African American Students.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe understand these adjustments may bring questions, concerns, and even uncertainty. Please know that our priority remains the same: to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all students at Marshall University. Our mission is to ensure that every student ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” regardless of background ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” has access to the resources, connections and opportunities needed to thrive,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Simms said in the release.
This comes over a month after West Virginia University announced it would be closing its DEI Division in compliance with MorriseyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s executive order.
The division taking its place is called the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDivision of Engagement and ComplianceÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ and will focus on ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œensuring the University adheres to federal and state guidance and fulfilling the needs of our campus community, including compliance with the Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is its primary focus,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ WVU said in an email.
In January, the university said once its review is complete, administrators would have a better understanding of the changes and will provide more specific ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œunit-level guidance.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Herald-Dispatch requested updated information on Wednesday. April Kaull, executive director of communications, said there are ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œno updates to report at this time from WVU.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Katelyn Aluise is an education and court reporter.
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