Chattanooga, October 1, 2025
News Summary
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is dissolving key diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to comply with new state legislation. Prominent offices such as the Women’s and Gender Equity Center and the PRISM Center will cease operations. In their place, UTC will launch the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community. Similarly, the City of Chattanooga is eliminating DEI offices, reallocating responsibilities to different departments. This sweeping change reflects a nationwide shift in how public institutions address diversity and inclusion amidst evolving legal frameworks.
Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) is set to dissolve key diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as part of its compliance with a newly enacted state law in Tennessee. This law bans public higher education institutions from employing discriminatory preferences to foster diversity, equity, or inclusion.
UTC is currently reassessing its student service programs and operations to align with this legislative change. As part of this initiative, several prominent programs—including the Student Government Association, the Women’s and Gender Equity Center, the PRISM Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Office of Student & Family Engagement—will be discontinued.
To replace these dissolved programs, UTC plans to establish the UTC Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community. This new center is scheduled for a soft launch on October 15, immediately following the fall break. Importantly, all staff members affected by these changes will continue their employment with the university.
In conjunction with these program changes, UTC is actively conducting an assessment of its remaining programs and activities to ensure ongoing compliance with the new law. Further modifications to student operations and programs may be introduced as this evaluation continues.
The City of Chattanooga is also responding to the same state law, which mandates the elimination of DEI offices and initiatives. The Chief of Staff for the city announced the closure of the Office of Equity and Community Engagement and the Office of New Americans. Responsibilities formerly associated with these offices will transition to the Department of Community Development and the Office of Constituent Services.
The Office of New Americans was established two years ago to assist immigrant and refugee populations in connecting with city resources. The decision to dismantle this office has stirred concern among some city officials, particularly Councilmember Ron Elliott, who expressed disappointment regarding the discontinuation of support for marginalized communities.
Despite these structural changes, city officials maintain their commitment to ensuring equitable access to services and resources for all residents. The restructuring also includes transforming the city’s Equity Board into a Community Engagement Board. Although the Chief Equity Officer position has been eliminated, the majority of employees will transition to new roles within the city’s departments.
Significantly, this reorganization will not result in any budget changes. The $2 million that was previously allocated for DEI efforts will be redistributed to other departments instead. This law and the subsequent shifts are reflective of a nationwide trend, with cities like Nashville and Memphis also closing DEI offices since the law’s enactment in April 2023.
Summary of Changes at UTC and Chattanooga
- UTC will dissolve key DEI programs to comply with new Tennessee law.
- Programs affected include the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Women’s and Gender Equity Center.
- UTC will establish a new UTC Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community by October 15.
- City of Chattanooga will dismantle its DEI offices and relocate responsibilities for community engagement.
- Budget for DEI efforts will be redistributed without changes to overall funding.
Ongoing Considerations
The actions taken by UTC and the City of Chattanooga are part of a broader legislative environment in Tennessee, which is seeing significant shifts in how diversity and inclusion are approached in public institutions. Both entities will continue to monitor the impacts and compliance of their new structures as they adapt to the changing legal framework.
FAQs
What changes is UTC implementing in its diversity programs?
UTC will dissolve certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to comply with new state laws.
What are some of the programs being dissolved at UTC?
Programs being dissolved include the Student Government Association, the Women’s and Gender Equity Center, the PRISM Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Office of Student & Family Engagement.
What is the UTC Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community?
In place of the dissolved programs, UTC will establish the UTC Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community, with a soft launch scheduled for October 15.
How is the City of Chattanooga responding to the new Tennessee law?
The City of Chattanooga is also making changes to comply with the same state law banning DEI offices and initiatives.
What has been the reaction from city officials regarding the changes?
Some city officials expressed concern about the negative impact of dismantling DEI programs, with Councilmember Ron Elliott voicing disappointment about abandoning support for marginalized communities.
Key Features Overview
| Entity | Changes | New Initiatives | Impact on Staff | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTC | Dissolving DEI programs | Launching UTC Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community | All affected staff remain employed | No budget changes; funds redistributed |
| City of Chattanooga | Dismantling DEI offices | Shifting responsibilities to Department of Community Development | Most employees transition to new roles | $2 million previously for DEI efforts redistributed |
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Additional Resources
- NewsChannel 9: UTC Dissolving DEI Programs
- Local 3 News: Chattanooga Eliminates DEI Offices
- Times Free Press: DEI Programs Costs at Atlanta Airport
- Fox 13 Memphis: UTC Lockdown Following Shots Fired
- Times Free Press: Chattanooga’s DEI Department to be Dissolved
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
