The University of Tennessee, Knoxville continues to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives through a rebranded department, despite scrutiny from lawmakers and a shift in federal priorities.
A video obtained by the Daily Wire features Casey A. Barrio Minton, Professor and Department Head of Counselor Education, revealing that the university’s “Access and Engagement” office maintains the same objectives and programming as the former “Diversity and Inclusion” office.
“They practice DEI?” someone asks in the footage.
“They do,” Barrio Minton responds. “And they do many of the same things.”
The name change has not significantly altered the office’s activities or the overall climate on campus, according to Barrio Minton.
“I haven’t noticed a big shift in the programming. I haven’t noticed a big shift of climate on campus beyond trying to ride the waves,” she said in the video.
The university’s DEI work has come under increased scrutiny as both state lawmakers and the federal government implement new restrictions on identity-based programming in public institutions.
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring DEI-related mandates “illegal” and affirming a national commitment to individual civil rights, merit-based achievement and equal opportunity.
Barrio Minton acknowledged the university’s DEI-related efforts but insisted they remain within the boundaries of current law.
“The law essentially says you can’t force DEI training on staff or whatnot,” she explained.
“And they also say no student shall be penalized for their failure to subscribe to any of these beliefs, right?”
She said that some people misinterpreted the law as a ban on discussing subjects like racism or systemic oppression.
“That’s not what the law says,” she added.
“The university has been very clear to us: the law says we don’t punish people based on their beliefs, but we don’t punish people. We educate.”
Barrio Minton also expressed confidence that Tennessee institutions are less likely to be targeted by federal enforcement than universities in more progressive states.
“Most of the fireworks that are happening are happening in very blue areas,” she stated.
In May, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that the Trump administration had slashed nearly $40 million in federal grants to the University of Tennessee.
Those cuts were part of a broader cost-reduction initiative affecting colleges across the country and were not connected to any alleged violations of federal law by the university.
Barrio Minton cited recent infrastructure updates, such as the addition of “All Vol” restrooms, as part of the university’s continuing DEI-related efforts.
“The inclusive restrooms are ‘All Vol’ restrooms, like a single stall, inclusive, accessible restroom,” she explained.
When asked if those were essentially gender-neutral restrooms, she agreed. “Yeah. You know, we had a number of trans students, so there became an initiative to convert a small restroom to be an ‘All Vol’ restroom.”
WATCH:
The Daily Wire reported that in response to media inquiries, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, issued a statement from Randy Boyd, President of the University of Tennessee System.
Boyd clarified the purpose of the Access and Engagement office, asserting that its focus is not rooted in DEI ideology.
“The purpose of access and engagement is to support academic access, foster community partnerships and promote merit-based student success,” Boyd said.
“These efforts are directly aligned with our System’s Statement of Aspirations, which commits us to removing barriers to educational opportunity and ensuring every Tennessean has the chance to succeed.”
Boyd stated unequivocally that the office is not “DEI in disguise” and emphasized legal compliance.
“All our work must and will remain fully compliant with state and federal law,” he said.
The post Secret DEI Push? University of Tennessee Official Admits Program Still Active Despite Name Change, Leaked Video Reveals appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Jordyn M.
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://resistthemainstream.org and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
