July 29, 2025

UT Chancellor Addresses DEI Program Allegations

News Summary

University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman responds to allegations regarding the rebranding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Concerns raised by Senator Marsha Blackburn, based on covert recordings, led to questions about transparency and compliance with federal laws. Plowman affirms that the university adheres to legal standards and has launched an independent review of engagement activities. The rebranding to ‘Access and Engagement’ aims to broaden educational opportunities while maintaining student success based on merit. Investigations into similar allegations are also extending to other universities.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT) Chancellor Donde Plowman has addressed allegations that the campus is rebranding its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs under different names. Senator Marsha Blackburn raised these concerns in letters sent to three universities in Tennessee, questioning the transparency of their DEI initiatives and the enrollment of undocumented students.

Blackburn’s concerns stem from covert recordings that revealed university employees discussing tactics to navigate federal regulations while maintaining DEI activities. In response, Plowman indicated that compliance is a serious issue for her office, clarifying that the statements made in the recordings misrepresent the university’s policies and practices.

The division primarily involved, known as the Division of Access and Engagement, focuses on promoting academic access, establishing community partnerships, and ensuring student success based on merit. Plowman reassured that UT adheres to both state and federal laws regarding its programs.

Independent Review and Compliance Measures

UT System President Randy Boyd announced an independent review of access and engagement activities across all campuses to confirm legal compliance with established regulations. Boyd asserted that the initiative dubbed “access and engagement” does not serve as a covert manner to disguise DEI efforts, maintaining that all related actions are lawful.

The name change of the DEI program to “Access and Engagement” in 2023 was intended to better represent its goals of expanding educational opportunities and supporting merit-based success among students.

Investigation and Context

UT is currently assessing the context of comments made during the recorded discussions and is actively engaging with the employees involved in those conversations. The state of Tennessee operates under a “one party” consent law, meaning that only one individual requires permission to record discussions.

In addition to UT, investigations are being expanded to include Vanderbilt University and Belmont University to address similar allegations regarding their DEI programs. Recently, Congress initiated inquiries into whether UT and other institutions are fulfilling civil rights requirements concerning the use of racial preferences in education.

Historical Background

This scrutiny is not new for the University of Tennessee, as the Trump administration previously investigated the school over accusations of antisemitic harassment linked to its DEI activities. In the newly revealed recordings, staff members at UT were heard discussing their strategies to rebrand DEI initiatives to minimize scrutiny from governmental authorities. Despite the pressures to dismantle such programs, these employees expressed their commitment to continue pursuing DEI efforts.

This comprehensive response from UT officials underscores the ongoing national debate regarding the role of DEI initiatives in educational institutions. As conversations around these topics evolve, the university aims to clarify its commitment to compliance while promoting access to education for all students.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox 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 Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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