Full Breakdown
Weber State University’s Censorship Conference Stifled by Utah Anti-DEI Laws
5/4/2026, 8:52:02 PM
Conference Redaction Under Utah’s HB 261
Less than 72 hours before the 27th Annual Unity Conference—titled “Redacted: Navigating the Complexities of Censorship”—Jessica Oyler, vice president of Student Access & Success, emailed presenters and ordered the removal of any reference to identity politics, “DEI,” or the “New Right.” The email argued that, because the event was funded by student affairs rather than faculty affairs, it did not qualify as a “real” academic conference under Utah’s HB 261, and therefore statements taking a side on legislation would not be protected by academic-freedom provisions. Several presenters withdrew after the directive.
Legislative Context
Utah’s HB 261 bars public colleges from using diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks in admissions or employment decisions and threatens state funding for non-compliant programs. A related statute, HB 265, extends the same restriction to university-sponsored events. Similar anti-DEI measures have been enacted in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Iowa. Critics contend the laws compel institutions to curtail scholarship on identity-based topics.
Timeline of Key Developments
- Proposal accepted: Herrmann’s student approved to present research on HB 261’s campus impact.
- Days before conference: Organizers request removal of DEI language; student withdraws.
- Following weeks: Weber State suspends Queer Studies and Women’s & General Studies minors, listing them as pending discontinuance.
- April 2023: Texas Tech System memo bans graduate theses on sexual orientation and gender identity (contextual precedent).
- March 2024: Utah Senate passes SB 295, amending HB 261 to broaden its scope slightly.
Program Cuts and Enrollment Data
The university’s “strategic reinvestment plan” eliminated more than 30 majors, minors, certificates, and emphases. Combined enrollment in Queer Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies fell below 50 students, representing 0.28 % of degree-seeking students.
University’s Official Rationale
Public-relations director Rachel Badali explained that the reductions align academic offerings with state workforce needs, citing market analysis that showed limited demand for jobs in the eliminated fields. She added that faculty expertise continues to be highlighted in university communications.
Faculty Criticism and Academic-Freedom Concerns
Sarah Herrmann warned that removing DEI language signals to students “who belongs and who doesn’t.” Richard Price described the program cuts as “passion projects” closed to appease legislators. Brianne Kramer noted that self-censorship requests create a chilling effect on tenure-track research and publication.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can imagine students who were part of the Women's Center or cultural centers seeing their minor canceled,” — Sarah Herrmann, Associate Professor, Weber State University
- “They were passion projects, closed to pacify legislators who don’t like seeing words like ‘queer,’” — Richard Price, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, Weber State University
- “You can censor my title or the language in my abstract, but unless you gag me or drag me out of the room, I’m going to say what I need to say,” — Brianne Kramer, Associate Professor, Southern Utah University
- “Faculty may struggle to meet promotion and tenure requirements if they can’t publish or present certain types of scholarship,” — Brianne Kramer, Associate Professor, Southern Utah University
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
The university attributes program cuts to market demand, while faculty attribute them to political pressure. No independent data on actual workforce demand for the eliminated programs is provided.
Future Outlook
The Wildcat Collective has organized two attempts to reschedule the conference, with the second achieving limited success. SB 295’s amendment to HB 261 may offer modest relief, but faculty and scholars continue to mobilize against further restrictions on academic freedom.
