University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd said Aug. 13 the system hired a high-powered national law firm to provide guidance about meeting federal DEI standards laid out by the Trump administration.
UT has battled accusations from federal leaders that it has failed to adhere to new − and multiplying − DEI regulations. The national law firm Saul Ewing will assess the system's policies and activities to ensure it meets all requirements set by the Trump administration, according to the email from Boyd to the UT community.
Boyd's letter specifically mentioned following a July 29 U.S. Department of Justice memo outlining anti-discrimination rules for agencies that receive federal funding.
His email asks employees to study the federal rules and meet them.
"Compliance is a top priority, as well as a priority shared by every campus and institute leader. Failing to meet this responsibility would undermine the trust placed in us and our ability to fulfill our mission," Boyd said in the email.
He told employees to be responsive to compliance auditors and attorneys if they are contacted with questions.
The move comes as the Trump administration has targeted high-profile universities across the U.S., such as Columbia, Harvard University and Northwestern, over their diversity and inclusion policies and practices. UT is on its radar as well, but has not received the same level of scrutiny.
This year, the Trump administration has dialed up pressure on UT, including:
Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee System hires law firm to ensure DEI compliance
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