SAU Media major and Buzz e-news reporter Grant Ward finishes their special spring semester series on the issues of DEI at St. Ambrose. Their final part reviews students’ reactions to the DEI office closure.
“No hate! No fear! Everyone is welcome here!”
These words echoed across campus during the Black Student Union’s Unity March. The march occurred a couple of weeks after SAU’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion closed.
The Closure of the DEI Office
The office’s closure came as a result of state legislation and federal guidance, specifically the Dear Colleague letter and HSB 60. SAU closed the office under state pressure and to avoid a loss of tuition dollars for students.
Lillian Springer, President of PRISM and former DEI office work study assistant, recalled her time leading up to the office’s closure.
Springer stated, “I had seen the copy of the Dear Colleague letter…I was showing the other workers, and we were like, ‘Oh, when is this going to hit us?’
“One day, I just walked into the office, and they were like, ‘It’s gone.’”
Brandon Staffney-Attical, Student Government Association Senator, says he, “…was kind of in denial…
“I never thought it would actually close…I feel like there’s nothing wrong with having places where people are allowed to feel more included.
“We should always have places to promote inclusivity on and off campus, so the fact that they’re closing an office directly for inclusivity…it strikes me the wrong way.”
Shifting the DEI Representatives
Matthew Ardaugh, Student Government Association President, says he felt the closure, “…was very much rumor-based.
“To be honest, it was like, ‘Is it closing? Is it staying open?’ We figured out it was closing…”
Ardaugh commends the university for its work to make sure the office’s representatives, Ryan Saddler and Fritz Dieudonne, stay on. “It was a sad day…I used to see them walking by, stopping just to chit-chat with me.
“They’re still taking care of a lot of those same services for students, which I’m very happy about…
“President Novak did such a terrific job making sure we can stay eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant. That takes care of about 400 students at Ambrose…about $7,500 in scholarships each.”
Moving On After the Closure
According to Springer, “…we’ve figured out that DEI is kind of being combined into student activities.
“The university can no longer promote or pay for things that mention race specifically, and so that all has to be student-led now.”
Ardaugh hopes that the Student Government Association “…can be the voice of the student body.
“If a student feels like they’re not being included, if a student feels they’re not being valued…we can make sure that you’re getting the resources that you need to thrive here…
“We want you to stay here, want you to be happy, and want you to feel included.”
In regards to campus inclusivity, Springer said, “People need to understand that people like me have a place here.
“Even if attacks are being made, we’re still a community. We’re still going to exist no matter what happens…
“We’re not going away.”
If you have any questions about ongoing changes to the University, please contact sauquestions@sau.edu
SGA President Matthew Ardaugh would like to encourage students affected by the closure of the DEI office to contact sga@sau.edu
Read Part 1: SAU Leaders Review DEI After Federal & State Pressure
Read Part 2: SAU President & Students React to Pushback
Read Part 3: Administration Closes DEI Office, Answers Student Questions
Read Brandi Crawley’s story on BSU after the closure of the DEI office
