Front Page  »  

Cal Poly’s DEI office to be renamed following Trump’s executive order

January 24, 2025

By KAREN VELIE

Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo is renaming its Office of University Diversity and Inclusion under the umbrella of the University Personnel Division following an executive order from President Donald Trump, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong announced Friday.

On Tuesday, Trump issued an executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at colleges and universities. The purpose of the order is to eliminate “illegal preferences and discrimination.”

“Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex,” Trump said in his order. “The American people have witnessed first-hand the disastrous consequences of illegal, pernicious discrimination that has prioritized how people were born instead of what they were capable of doing.”

Cal Poly administrators plan to announce the new name for the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion at a later date, according to Armstrong’s announcement.

A former professor at Cal Poly, Al Liddicoat, will serve as the vice president for the division upon his return to Cal Poly. Liddicoat is currently serving as interim vice chancellor for the California State University System.

“This integration will enable us to better serve our students, faculty and staff, while driving meaningful progress in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all,” Armstrong said.

Because we believe the public needs the facts, the truth, CalCoastNews has not put up a paywall because it limits readership. However, we are seeking qualification as a paper of record, which will allow us to publish public notices, this requires 5,000 paid subscribers.

Your subscription will help us to continue investigating and reporting the news.

Support CalCoastNews, subscribe today, click here.

 


Loading...
Subjects:         
Related:


22 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

The biggest beneficiaries from DEI programs are white women, not minorities. Look it up.


-1

As a Poly graduate I believe that my education was conducted by first class professors. My accounting experience was favorable compared to USC and UCA alumni. I would question the results of a second rate instructor in a classroom environment — DEI would allow For the hiring for a second rate individual based upon their race, sex or political leaning.


58

Why do you equate DEI hiring with “second rate?” If an individual is hired under DEI, they have to meet the same qualifications and job requirements as a non-DEI hire and have to go through the exact same interview process. Being hired under DEI in no way makes a person second rate. Folks need to educate themselves.


-93

Well said, Gray Granny. The Poly graduate could only provide a shortsighted, disingenuous argument. Maybe more schooling?


-40

I think the Biden cabinet illustrates that DEI generates second (or unqualified) individuals. Harris chosen not because of her ability but because she was black and a woman. Pot hole Pete was a joke but put into place because of his sexual orientation. Majoricus was useless. Surely there were more qualified individuals but this is what DEI will give you — the unqualified.


44

That’s right and President Trump would never put any questionable DEI characters in his cabinet. He picks only the “best people” such as Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth did serve in the military with distinction but since then has been reported as a drunkard, a womanizer and blamed for the mismanagement of two veterans organizations where he had to be replaced.


Or take RFK Jr. at HHS—great name right, but he’s a crackpot conspiracy theorist who would set our health care systems back 100 years and if it were up to him we would still be seeing thousands die from COVID. Or take Tulsi Gabbard as DNI, an apologist for Vladimir Putin and Bashr Al Assad who loves to spread Russian disinformation.


I wonder what’s worse, picking individuals because they come from marginalized populations or individuals whose qualifications are simply that they will be loyal to Trump?


-27

Long story short. Didn’t Earn It, lives on at Cal Poly. So shameful to say the least.

Shame on you Polytechnic!


72

They just don’t get it… Merit works every time its tried… DEI is a crap shoot…


71

I don’t think my comments will be met with applause but I feel the need to share. When it comes to equal educational opportunities, students from low-income, inner city schools are not on an even playing field as students who come from private or affluent area schools. Inner city schools do not offer the same college prep courses as do schools in affluent neighborhoods. How do the inner city students compete for the same admission spots as their peers who come from the affluent areas? Without DEI programs and opportunities, the inner city students are not competitive and have to settle for leftovers.


-94

The rich will always get ahead, but working-class whites bear the wrath of all these “equity” programs


54

No, it’s “in addition to” not instead of. You obviously are living in the world where it’s happening, other than looking in from the outside and believing what the internet, Fox News, and CCN tell you


-64

Well now look, you went and made a totally rational and truthful argument and you get nothing but hate.


-46

So, the first action taken by the university is to hire someone to oversee the change? Hilarious! Did that hire have to write a diversity statement like everyone else?


63

Soooo, does this mean they’re going to have the same DEI policies, just under a different name or department? Don’t think that was the intent.


96

Same book, different cover


48

Horse hockey by any other name is still smells like horse hockey.


42
1 2