Weber State University is opening a new facility to replace the DEI office

OGDEN, Utah — Four months have passed since new legislation took effect eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on Utah college campuses. To comply with the new policy, Weber State University closed its identity-based centers and opened a new Student Success Center.

“We’re making sure that we’re staying connected with students, being aware of their needs, the barriers that they’re facing, and making sure that we’re eliminating those barriers,” said Brandon Flores, executive director of the Student Success Center .

That wasn’t Flores’ role when he started working here. “When I was hired, about a year ago, we started developing community centers. So when the regulations changed, we obviously had to change the focus, redirect, and that’s when we became known as a student success center.”

House Bill 261 passed earlier this year and replaced the Offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Utah college campuses in an effort to serve a broader audience rather than specific groups of students.

“At first I was worried. When I hear that community centers and key student spaces may be disappearing, it seems troubling to me, but honestly, I’m really proud of Weber State and how they handled the situation,” said third-year student Alayna Ruiz Weber State University.

“We have always focused on student retention and success, so we are trying to find new, innovative approaches to that under the new umbrella of being a center for student success,” Flores added.

Weber State has a large Latino and international student population. They still host cultural events – like celebrating Latino Heritage Month and Diwali – but try to promote it to all students so people can feel connected to their culture or learn about something new. So the services still exist and have not disappeared.

“A center that is close to my heart, the Women’s Center, is now ‘Safe at Weber,’ so I know there are still resources available to me and there is still a place I can get help, even if it is not called the Women’s Center ”Ruiz said.

I hope that every student feels noticed and cared for. “Converting this space into a center where students can come and get support,” Flores added.