UW System will stop requiring employees to sign diversity, equity and inclusion statements

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The UW System will no longer require new employees to sign diversity, equity and inclusion statements.

UW System President Jay Rothman announced the decision Thursday, May 11 after a top Republican threatened to cut state aid to campuses.

The move comes as Republicans in Wisconsin and nationwide are working to close campus diversity offices. 

While it's common for university employees to submit these statements, Rothman told lawmakers he made the decision to remove politics from the hiring process.

"Regardless of the form, this practice may be perceived as a litmus test," Rothman said. "And as a result, some people may simply not apply. We have to be inclusive, and that means inclusive of everyone, including people with varying political ideologies and perspectives."

This decision follows headlines from earlier this month after a UW-Madison student posted a video that included racial slurs towards the Black community.

Campus officials have condemned the video but said they are constrained from taking action against the student.