9:56 p.m.
Dear COEHD faculty and staff,
Hope the end of the semester is treating you gently. I wanted to pass along a quick update
on SB 17 and the PAIR review process of COEHD procedures, activities, projects,
initiatives, etc. Generally speaking, the bill restricts any language within hiring
practices, benefits, policies, procedures, trainings, and particular programs that
demonstrates preference for race, color, or ethnicity. The good news is most of what we
submitted from our college to this point required no modifications or was asked to be
eliminated. Two items that were flagged, however: COEHD’s DEI committee and excerpt within
our P&T guidelines.
The DEI committee will be the heavier lift. After a discussion w Drs. Harris and
Castro-Villarreal, we agreed in view of the tight deadline of December 14th that the
current DEI committee be eliminated and in Spring 2024 establish a new committee version
that corresponds closely to the pillars announced in President Eighmy’s recent memo: ADA
access, campus climate, and community partnership. We agreed a more prudent and methodical
strategy on deciding on committee mission, aims, and desired outcomes was more
advantageous given all the ambiguity and unknowns; e.g., the immediate effects of the bill
in the classroom, forthcoming system guidance on SB 17’s effect on grants and contracts,
compliance to the multitude of national and federal regulations (e.g., SACSCOC). Using the
entirety of the spring semester provides time for the present committee to think through
how COEHD navigates if not capitalizes on the 3 identified pillars and the allowances
under SB 17. Both professors felt that the deciding on committee scope, aims, and purposes
should include students (grad and undergrad) and the process should be data driven
incorporating survey feedback. I fully support this plan and look forward to a new
iteration of the committee at the end of the coming spring.
As for the P&T Guidelines, the PAIR team determined that the U of Arizona’s guideline
language on page 4 of the document must be removed (see below):
“Given the growing evidence that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on women,
underrepresented ethnic/racial/sexual groups, family caregivers, and those with health
risks, we recognize that more than ever it is critical to acknowledge and consider issues
of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the review of materials…”
I appreciate your assistance in this complex and uncertain process. Please know the review
process will continue into the spring as new items surface. Special thanks to REGSS Chair,
Dr. Elenes, for serving as our person in charge of managing COEHD’s involvement in the
process.
Feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns.
Mario
--
Mario Torres, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education and Human Development
President's Distinguished Professorship
The University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle, Main Building 3.304
San Antonio, TX 78249
Office: 210.458.5200
Fax: 210.458.4487
Mario.Torres2@utsa.edu<mailto:Mario.Torres2@utsa.edu>