The move by the University of South Dakota to restrict faculty members’ use of pronouns and tribal affiliations is part of a broader trend nationwide. As of March, about one-third of the states have taken action to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This includes the implementation of policies that restrict what can be discussed in classrooms and limit the use of certain terminology.
Paulette Grandberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, stated that the University of South Dakota’s decision is unprecedented. “Quite frankly… this is the first I’ve heard of a state university choosing to use branding standards to eliminate what obviously had become a practice of including pronouns and tribal affiliations to emails,” she said.
As reported by MassLive, the policy is sparking concerns that similar efforts may soon spread to public colleges and universities across the country. The move has raised eyebrows among advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion, who see it as an attempt to stifle free expression and create a hostile environment. Red Shirt-Shaw and Little’s decision to include their pronouns and tribal affiliations in their email signatures was an attempt to create a sense of community and respect among students, colleagues, and staff.
However, “their actions have been met with resistance from the university administration,” “raising questions about the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
Tribal Affiliations Forbidden In South Dakota Public University Employee Emails…
• Two University of South Dakota faculty members, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and John Little, received written warnings from the university in March to remove their gender pronouns and tribal affiliations from their email signatures, citing a policy adopted by the South Dakota Board of Regents in December. 2. The faculty members were given an ultimatum to remove their pronouns and tribal affiliations within 5 days, with the threat of suspension or termination if they failed to comply. 3. The policy change in South Dakota is part of a larger trend of conservative efforts to limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, with about one-third of states taking some sort of action against them. 4. The decision by the University of South Dakota has raised concerns that similar efforts may spread to public colleges and universities, with Paulette Grandberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, stating that it’s the first time she’s seen a state university use branding standards to eliminate the use of pronouns and tribal affiliations in emails.
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In The News:
Two University of South Dakota faculty members, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and her husband, John Little, have long included their gender pronouns and tribal affiliations in their work email signature blocks. But both received written warnings from the university in March that doing so violated a policy adopted in December by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
“I was told that I had 5 days to remove my tribal affiliation and pronouns,” Little said in an email to The Associated Press. “I believe the exact wording was that I had ‘5 days to correct the behavior.’ If my tribal affiliation and pronouns were not removed after the 5 days, then administrators would meet and make a decision whether I would be suspended (with or without pay) and/or immediately terminated.”
South Dakota’s change comes in the midst of a conservative quest to limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives gaining momentum in state capitals and college governing boards around the country, with about one-third of the states taking some sort of action against it.
But some fear the South Dakota policy could signify a creep of such efforts into public colleges and universities.
“Quite frankly, this is the first I’ve heard of a state university choosing to use branding standards to eliminate what obviously had become a practice of including pronouns and tribal affiliations to emails,” said Paulette Grandberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. “But I’m not surprised, given the current climate we’re in.”
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The field of diversity and inclusion:
It is disheartening to see the University of South Dakota faculty members, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and John Little, facing resistance and ultimatums from administrators for including their gender pronouns and tribal affiliations in their email signatures. This effort to promote inclusivity and create a sense of community is a vital step in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.
The warning given to Little, to remove his tribal affiliation and pronouns from his email signature within five days, is not only disappointing but also raises concerns about the university’s commitment to these values. The fact that about one-third of the states have taken action to restrict diversity, equity… and inclusion initiatives is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed.
It is crucial for educational institutions to recognize the importance of inclusivity and respect in creating a welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. MassLive reports that the policy has sparked concerns about similar efforts spreading to public colleges and universities across the country.
As a professional, it is essential to advocate for policies that promote inclusivity and respect. The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education has spoken out against the University of South Dakota’s decision… stating that it is unprecedented and an attempt to eliminate a practice that has become commonplace in including pronouns and tribal affiliations in emails.
It is essential to listen to the concerns of advocates and professionals in the field who understand the importance of inclusivity. As a society, we must recognize the value and importance of inclusivity and respect. Educators and professionals have a responsibility to promote and advocate for policies that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
It is imperative to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued. By employing policies that restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, universities risk creating a hostile environment that stifles free expression and undermines the very values they claim to uphold. It is crucial for universities to recognize the importance of inclusivity and take concrete steps to promote diversity, equity, “and inclusion on campus.” MassLive reports on this article, “highlighting the significance of the issue.”
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