An email sent to staff by UT President Jay Hartzell stated the programs would be eliminated in accordance with SB 17, which Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) signed into law last June prohibiting "many activities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)."

Read a portion of the email below:

"Soon after the passage last year of Senate Bill 17 – which prohibits many activities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) – the University embarked on a multiphase process to review campus portfolios and end or redesign the policies, programs, trainings, and roles affected by the new law. Our initial focus was to ensure we made the required changes by SB 17's January 1 effective date, but we knew that more work would be required to utilize our talent and resources most effectively in support of our teaching and research missions, and ultimately, our students.

"Since that date, we have been evaluating our post-SB 17 portfolio of divisions, programs, and positions. The new law has changed the scope of some programs on campus, making them broader and creating duplication with long-standing existing programs supporting students, faculty, and staff. Following those reviews, we have concluded that additional measures are necessary to reduce overlap, streamline student- facing portfolios, and optimize and redirect resources into our fundamental activities of teaching and research.