The University of South Alabama has closed its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office in response to a new law that has shuttered DEI offices and programs across the state.

The university is the sixth state college to close its DEI division since Gov. Kay Ivey passed a law banning state-funded DEI offices, trainings and the teaching of so-called “divisive concepts” this spring. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.

“While the new law alters our organizational structure and approach to some programming, it does not diminish our commitment to academic freedom or to supporting a culture of belonging and respect,” USA President Jo Bonner wrote in a letter to students and staff on Aug. 2. “In fact, we will use this moment to expand our engagement efforts on campus throughout the community and across the region.”

USA Vice President Joél Lewis Billingsley, who previously oversaw the DEI office and other diversity efforts on campus, will now head the expanded Office of Community Engagement.

The DEI office provided educational and cultural programming and worked to improve minority student retention and graduation rates, as well as faculty and staff retention, according to university documents.

The college has a student population that is 61% white, 21% Black, 5% Hispanic and 4% Asian.

Jacksonville State University, UA System campuses and Auburn University also dissolved their DEI departments this summer. Some have formed new offices focused on “access and engagement,” while others have reassigned staff elsewhere.

A USA spokesman said there is an effort to relocate all former DEI staff to other positions within the university, but could not provide additional details.

According to the college’s response to a 2022 legislative inquiry, USA employed two full-time and one part-time coordinator to staff its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as two student assistants and a part-time secretary.

The university appears to have already deleted a webpage for the office.

In his letter, Bonner said the university will still work to support retention efforts and research aimed at underserved groups, but it remains unclear which, if any, services will be impacted.

“I’ve had the honor of speaking with incoming students and their families throughout the summer during Southbound orientation. Our new Jaguars bring with them many different experiences and backgrounds yet a shared goal — to create opportunities for themselves and their communities with a degree from the University of South Alabama,” he wrote. “To help them get there is the University’s highest responsibility and privilege.

“As a comprehensive research university that also has an academic health system, we will continue to foster a supportive environment in all we do and reaffirm our commitment to advancing education that addresses health disparities and improves outcomes for all.”

The university also has renamed its Multicultural Leadership Center, which opened in 2022, to the “University Leadership Center,” according to a spokesman.

The center, which employed four staff members, supported several student organizations as well as mentoring and leadership programs aimed at improving minority student retention.

Bonner said Billingsley and the university’s government liaison have been meeting with students and staff to work through concerns.

“I remain grateful to all who have helped in this transition and confident in the success we will achieve by taking deliberate action to engage, educate and advance as the Flagship of the Gulf Coast,” he wrote.