Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912

The Legislature passed SB1912/HB2248 that removes funding from the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Sign this petition that we will deliver to Governor Haslam asking him to veto the bill.

Governor Haslam, we call on you to veto SB1912/HB2248 and protect the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Office for Diversity and Inclusion. The office plays a vital role in making the university competitive for the best students, faculty, and staff and it makes campus life welcoming for all. Thank you for considering our views.

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Amy Elias signed via Celeste Brooks 2017-02-17 16:02:25 -0600
Brian Wilcox signed via Henry Wilcox 2016-11-21 13:51:38 -0600
Caleb Laieski signed via Caleb Banks 2016-06-02 12:08:55 -0500
Heather Cohen signed via Rachel Eisenstein Hauber 2016-05-08 21:20:12 -0500
Edward Wolff signed 2016-05-07 16:16:31 -0500
Liz Elliott signed 2016-05-06 19:34:25 -0500
Marcoa Nolastname signed via Esthela Rios 2016-05-03 12:50:17 -0500
Brandy Drake signed 2016-05-03 01:00:12 -0500
Andrew Currey signed 2016-05-02 20:20:07 -0500
Leslie Agron signed 2016-05-02 17:48:23 -0500

We are a diverse nation. It’s silly to spend so much time trying to defund this group. Leaves one thinking it is about control rather than what is needed at the university. Sad.
Tk Francis signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-05-02 00:43:28 -0500

When we have to diversity……you know we need it!
Michael Lin signed via Amber Hale 2016-05-01 21:23:59 -0500
Jason Smith signed 2016-05-01 08:07:01 -0500

No place for hate
Marty Menane signed via Jodie Hamilton 2016-05-01 07:25:18 -0500
Jayla Freeman signed 2016-05-01 00:47:37 -0500
Lyric Farmer signed via Amber Hale 2016-05-01 00:23:09 -0500
Lisa Bennett posted about this on Facebook 2016-04-30 23:40:06 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912
Lisa Bennett signed via Carolyn Burr 2016-04-30 23:39:31 -0500

I’m a native Mississippian. My home state has made me ashamed. I hope my adopted home of Tennessee does not do the same with such backwards legislation. Veto this bill!

UTC graduate, Class of 1996

Mother of Haslam Scholar, Cohort of 2018
Leiah Durr signed via Amber Hale 2016-04-30 23:18:37 -0500
Esthela Rios posted about this on Facebook 2016-04-30 22:32:43 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912
Esthela Rios signed via Amber Hale 2016-04-30 22:32:21 -0500
Amber Hale posted about this on Facebook 2016-04-30 21:53:25 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912
@hale_maker tweeted link to this page. 2016-04-30 21:53:23 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912 http://tnep.nationbuilder.com/defend_diversity_at_ut_knoxville_veto_sb1912_hlc1cj1qcsx5eev2wkvpda?recruiter_id=67367
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Amber Hale signed via Imani Bruce 2016-04-30 21:52:46 -0500
Jodie Hamilton posted about this on Facebook 2016-04-30 21:48:12 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912
Jodie Hamilton signed via Larry D Kitchen 2016-04-30 21:47:56 -0500
Valerie Wilhite signed 2016-04-30 17:40:25 -0500

In the last two years or so the tensions between the people—students, faculty, staff, administrators— who see themselves as “normal,” in the center of the campus, and those who are left on its margins have popped off. We have intense protests, strikes, graffiti, nooses, and so much more happening on campuses across the country. What allows these groups to use education, dialogue, and reflection to guide interaction instead of letting tensions build and explode: the answer is in the Diversity Office on your campus. They do the research and find what works, what helps. They are a space of safety and trust and they go out onto their campuses to make pockets of safe space.

How could anyone possibly want to cut diversity programming THIS year. Have you not seen what is happening? Did you not see the superbowl halftime show and the “Formation” video that preceded it and the spoof(s) and columns that came after? The killings and abuses of trans people and people of color across the United States that have prompted intense frustration, anger, and organized movements?

I have worked on university campuses for two decades now. We need MORE support. Not less.
Mario Knox signed via Brianna Mason 2016-04-30 09:49:52 -0500
Wade Boswell signed 2016-04-30 09:12:54 -0500
Kimberly Davis signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-30 07:54:21 -0500