Weber State University in Utah restricted presenters from discussing identity politics and DEI at its annual Unity Conference, according to a report by 404 Media.
Less than 72 hours before the 27th Annual Unity Conference, titled “Redacted: Navating the Complexities of Censorship,” organizers informed participants that they must not take sides on legislation or policies. Failure to comply would result in removal from the official program agenda.
Jessica Oyler, then-Vice President of Student Access & Success, sent an email to presenters stating the event was not a “real” academic conference. She claimed that because the conference was funded by the student affairs division rather than faculty affairs, statements and materials would not be protected by academic freedom under Utah law.
Legislative pressure on campus funding
The university's stance follows Utah’s HB 261, a law designed to withhold funding from public institutions suspected of practicing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks in admissions or employment.
404 Media reported that the university's legal team adopted a narrow interpretation of the law. This interpretation suggests that academic freedom does not extend to students or staff when programs lack specific faculty-led funding.
Similar legislation has been enacted in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Iowa to curb DEI initiatives. While these laws primarily target funding, they are increasingly being used to restrict classroom instruction.
Sarah Herrmann, an associate professor of psychological science at Weber State, had prepared a presentation on how HB 261 impacts campus culture. Her student, who was co-presenting, was instructed by organizers to delete any mention of the term “DEI” from their materials.
“You can imagine students who were part of the Women's Center or cultural centers seeing their minor canceled,” Herrmann told 404 Media. “It conveys a message about who belongs and who doesn't.”
Following the university's request, the student researcher officially withdrew from the conference. Herrmann noted the incident reflects a growing trend of institutions making concessions to protect state funding at the expense of academic research.
