Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

UVa’s DEI Bureaucracy: the Details

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by

James A. Bacon
in

Here is the breakdown of DEI positions and salaries at the University of Virginia identified in the Virginia Association of Scholars report, “Should Virginians
Pay for University ‘Diversity’ Leftism?”

In 2020, UVa spent more money than any other public Virginia university on DEI staff and salaries. In 2021, UVa doubled the number of administrators and increased spending on salaries by 66%.

These numbers reflect only a fraction of the total administrative costs imposed by the DEI bureaucracy. They do not include employee benefits, office space, travel & entertainment, engagement of outside consultants and speakers, or DEI-related tasks performed by staff and faculty with other job responsibilities.

— JAB

UVa DEI Positions in 2020


UVa DEI positions in 2021

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35 responses to “UVa’s DEI Bureaucracy: the Details”

  1. kls Avatar
    kls

    Damn….. this might be a better scam than BLM…. actually it is… you get health care and a retirement. Al Sharpton missed the boat.

  2. Randy Huffman Avatar
    Randy Huffman

    Unbelievable (well, actually I do believe it). Think about this across quite a few Universities who are clearly doing the same thing, and large corporations.

    But do want to note the first 14 largest dollar positions in 2021 are repeated, does that affect the total? I also assume the positions of Business or Office Managers listed further down, are in DEI related departments.

    1. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      Yes, it’s pretty widespread through higher ed, the private sector, NGOs despite Conservative opposition.

      Even commercials on TV these days – I bet many conservatives find them distasteful and worse!

      1. Randy Huffman Avatar
        Randy Huffman

        A whole new layer of bureaucracy and candidly waste of money. As to commercials, I really don’t pay much attention to them. I think a few I’ve seen are over the top (I couldn’t even tell you what they were), but for the most part, doesn’t matter.

        1. Stephen Haner Avatar
          Stephen Haner

          To Larry conservative and racist mean the same thing. He assumes we are offended by black or gay folks in commercials. Probably thinks we all fumed at Uhuru on the Enterprise bridge…

  3. david Beauregard Avatar
    david Beauregard

    The DEI “university complex” should be self-funded through alumnus who share sufficient fellowship and empathy with the student and other populations who naturally fall into the categories DEI efforts support. The scope of DEI activities is naturally narrow. The Staffing for DEI at UVA must be anticipating something much larger. This is OK as long as the bills are not paid for by the taxpayers of Virginia or other taxpayers throughout the country. As revenues from generous alumni focused on university athletics pay for much of the presence of UVA teams on the fields of competition; alumni interested in a DEI effort, for its’ anticipated benefit to the selected populations, should “anti up” the resources necessary for providing DEI Programs of sufficient scope and impact commensurate with the cultural and academic status of UVA. Individual financial support for DEI activities will separate the signaling of self-righteousness from righteous intent. But, that may not be a meaningful distinction.

    1. Paul Sweet Avatar
      Paul Sweet

      This alumnus ain’t paying for it.

      1. Stephen Haner Avatar
        Stephen Haner

        Yes, the cost per student would be interesting. Bet it exceeds the sports subsidy!

    2. kls Avatar
      kls

      Maybe BLM can contribute, if there is any money left after all the property purchases….

    3. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Seeing as how many of the cash-generating revenue sports that fund the university rely on athletes who benefit from DEI efforts, you might want to rethink this. If the university becomes inhospitable for top tier athletes, as Missouri has, you can kiss gridiron glory goodbye.

      1. walter smith Avatar
        walter smith

        How can we kiss goodbye what we never had?

      2. david Beauregard Avatar
        david Beauregard

        In part, your point is why i stayed away from discussing the value of DEI services to the students. Instead, i proposed a market oriented solution to funding DEI operations. Without the influence of the market for such services, the benefits of DEI are absorbed by the enthusiasm of interested taxpayers in supporting their “cause”. This is especially true with the availability of other taxpayers money. Instead, let’s consider DEI affinity groups as supported at the University of Missouri. These raise the funding needed in support of a planned scope or range of DEI activities. The support for DEI administration, by the university, will then want be measured against the benefits to be derived as measured by the response to a general call for funding and other development efforts on behalf of DEI. I am not up to date on DEI activities at the University of Missouri. I have however, noted Missouri’s DEI affinity Funders group. It was set up for those interested in funding DEI Initiatives and seeking new avenues of DEI involvement in the Missouri community. I am not aware of anything about the Missouri football team and their position on DEI. You seemed to indicate that without DEI initiatives there would not be any football or other sports that derive revenue from their athletic activities. You seem to be suggesting that self-funding would lead to ultimatums being expressed where one group (football players) would agree to “cut off their nose to spite their face” by linking their availability to play football for Missouri to DEI presence on at Missouri. with the choices of those seeking to enhance DEI efforts at the university.

        1. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          Isn’t this sorta like saying let the market decide if there should be handicap ramps or special education services in schools?

          1. david Beauregard Avatar
            david Beauregard

            Yes it is, sorta the same. The difference lies in the relative position of the university, as determined by the university and its constituents, with respect to the conditions for acceptable levels of DEI in that university community. The university then sets out to fund those activities supporting the program designed to meet the needs of the University with regard to DEI and its’ beneficiary populations. The conceit may be a university can change the world. The reality is that a university has an equal opportunity to change the world when placed alongside the smallest community college in the country. I suggest to you that the need for handicap ramps and special education have been fully vetted by the citizens of this country. They stand as examples of our generosity and understanding of the needs of all our people. The numbers served through these actions and the results for those affected, are well documented Will we be able to say the same for DEI spending and its’ results?

          2. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            DEI is found in corporations now days. Isn’t that “market”?

            Higher Ed is doing DEI for the same reason that the Corporations are.

            Even West Point and the US Military is into it, although they drop the E.

            The point is that young people want it and make decisions about where to go or not based on
            DEI.

        2. Not Today Avatar
          Not Today

          Interesting ideas. Happy to engage. Have thoughts. Maybe read about their campus racial issues and football team leadership and then we’ll be on the same page/have the same background info when we discuss?

  4. James C. Sherlock Avatar
    James C. Sherlock

    I offer the description of the duties of L. Ron Scott, Associate Dean of the School of Education and Human Development.
    And no, I do not know what “minoritized” means.

    “LaRon A. Scott studies recruitment, preparation, and retention of historically marginalized teacher educators, notably special education teachers, and postsecondary transition programming and outcomes for Black youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He also focuses on the critical implications of implicit bias in shaping the conditions for historically marginalized educators, and how historical and contemporary local, state, and federal policy shapes the treatment of minoritized special educators.”

    “In addition to his faculty appointment, Scott leads the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at EHD. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing a framework for DEI in the school. This includes developing systems that increase equity for students, faculty, and staff; raising the visibility and recognition of DEI-related work across the school; developing DEI programming stemming from the office of DEI or in partnership with other units; and connecting with relevant partners across Grounds.”

    His Ed.D. is from Walden University, and online, for profit “institution” exposed as a diploma mill by NBC News after he got his degree.

    “We have seen an increased number of complaints related to dissertations at Walden University,” Sandy Connolly of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) told NBC News.”

    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/profit-walden-u-once-tied-bill-clinton-put-under-review-n661281

    See also https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/student-sues-walden-university-i-wasted-six-years-my-life-n690706

  5. Lefty665 Avatar
    Lefty665

    Jeez, at that growth rate it will be $10M+ for 2022. DIE DEI die.

  6. James C. Sherlock Avatar
    James C. Sherlock

    UVa lost three black students, football players who were killed by a black student who should have been dealt with by a threat assessment team that included, for some incalculable reason, a DEI bureaucracy representative.

    That team took no action in his case.

    He opened fire on that bus ten days after the meeting that considered his case.

    After the killings the University called the threat assessment team lack of action an oversight, or a misunderstanding, or something.

    I hope we’ll find out if that lack of action was influenced by DEI sensitivities expressed or intimated.

    How much money are three promising young lives worth?

    UVa will surely have to put a dollar value on it when it settles with the families of the dead and the other two young men who were wounded.

    We may need to add the to the cost of DEI at the University.

  7. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    “Executive Assistant to the VP for Information Technology” is a DEI position… who knew…?!

  8. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    Next, Jim, you should ask the administration what exactly does the person in each of these positions actually do.

    It is hard to believe that many associate deans are needed. However, among all the positions, the one that strikes me as the most ludicrous is “Trauma Counselor/Body Positive Coordinator”.

    1. Charles D'Aulnais Avatar
      Charles D’Aulnais

      Don’t forget to ask if any of these positions are merely “dual hats”. Often such positions are merely tasks assigned to other faculty and staff who are compensated for the additional effort only.

      For example, the VA Benefits Officer can be some whose normal job is Assistant Registrar.

      1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
        Dick Hall-Sizemore

        That is a good point. In going through the list, that idea vaguely occurred to me.

        1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          The Associate Dean listed above also “studies” and “focuses” He got his faculty appointment with a degree from Walden.

    2. James C. Sherlock Avatar
      James C. Sherlock

      See below for what an Associate Dean for DEI does.

      – He “develops and implements frameworks”,
      – He raises “the visibility and recognition of DEI-related work”.
      – He “develops systems that increase equity”.
      – He “develops DEI programming stemming from the office of DEI”.
      – He “connects with relevant partners across Grounds

      He is paid $177,400 before bonus. Sounds like a raise is in the offing. Check where he got his doctorate.

  9. James C. Sherlock Avatar
    James C. Sherlock

    I offer the description of the duties of LaRon Scott, Associate Dean of the School of Education and Human Development.
    And no, I do not know what “minoritized” means.

    https://education.virginia.edu/about/directory/laron-scott

    “LaRon A. Scott studies recruitment, preparation, and retention of historically marginalized teacher educators, notably special education teachers, and postsecondary transition programming and outcomes for Black youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He also focuses on the critical implications of implicit bias in shaping the conditions for historically marginalized educators, and how historical and contemporary local, state, and federal policy shapes the treatment of minoritized special educators.”

    “In addition to his faculty appointment, Scott leads the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at EHD. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing a framework for DEI in the school. This includes developing systems that increase equity for students, faculty, and staff; raising the visibility and recognition of DEI-related work across the school; developing DEI programming stemming from the office of DEI or in partnership with other units; and connecting with relevant partners across Grounds.”

    His Ed.D. is from Walden University, and online, for profit “institution” exposed as a diploma mill by NBC News after he got his degree.

    “We have seen an increased number of complaints related to dissertations at Walden University,” Sandy Connolly of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) told NBC News.”

    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/profit-walden-u-once-tied-bill-clinton-put-under-review-n661281

    See also https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/student-sues-walden-university-i-wasted-six-years-my-life-n690706

    1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      This seems to be an example of a “dual hat”, that, in effect, artificially increases the cost of DEI. Sorry, but all that verbiage does not tell me what he actually does.

      1. Charles D'Aulnais Avatar
        Charles D’Aulnais

        “In addition to his faculty appointment, Scott leads the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at EHD. In this role,…”

        Big hint there. He teaches AND heads the DEI office.

        1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          Read it again. It does not say he teaches.

          1. Charles D'Aulnais Avatar
            Charles D’Aulnais

            Ah yes, he’s research faculty which doesn’t mean he doesn’t also teach. It does mean that “publish or perish” comes attached. “Publish” being a euphemism for hustling grant money. A quick perusal of the web shows he came to UVa from VCU where he brought in over $6 million in grants resulting in some 40 refereed publications. That’s a lot of money for a non-tech position. You try getting $500K/year in grants.

            His “students” are RAs and/or TAs who are seeking a Ph.D. at UVa. and who are paid from his grants, as is the school in the form of overhead cost. He’s a bit of a cash cow.

            I also noticed in another comment that you have some suspicion concerning Walden University (it’s online for profit so I have to stifle my immediate urge to concur). Your links are from 2016. Newer links show that the accreditation commission (Higher Learning) has dropped their investigation, and nothing appears to have come from Minnesota’s investigation other than those NBC stories.

            Lawsuits have been filed by students directed at their Business School over student loans and certain expectations from the MBA program. The DoJ has declined to join in any. At this point, I would caution against monolithic thinking. It’s one program and NOT associated with the Education doctorate.

            Walden may not have the reputation of UVa, but appears to have produced a very successful Associate Professor at UVa, who may or may not be additionally compensated for his DEI efforts other than a title.

            Addendum: Prof. Scott was on the schedule to teach one course Fall 2022. EDIS 3020 sec 501 indicated “closed” or full, so odds are he taught this past semester.

            https://louslist.org/page.php?Semester=1228&Type=Group&Group=EDIS

      2. James C. Sherlock Avatar
        James C. Sherlock

        “All that verbiage doesn’t tell me what he does.” Exactly.

    2. kls Avatar
      kls

      but no metrics to determine success or failure — just like EVERY other DIE position….. if you don’t have goals you can measure, you can’t fail, and you can’t cut the program.

      I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ONE SINGLE DIE position with metrics. And then an annual report detailing the progress/failure.

      1. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        I agree with the need for metrics.

  10. Bob X from Texas Avatar
    Bob X from Texas

    Every D.I.E. position should be eliminated.
    Also an investigation into the diversity of DIE positions should be conducted.
    Straight, Asian, conservative, non- whale sized, men seem very scarce.

  11. Cathis398 Avatar
    Cathis398

    the funny and painful thing is that our Supreme Court has already started to rule, and will soon rule much more strongly, that Christians are a protected minority class.

    Then DEI will be forced under Federal law to flip itself on its head, and eradicate “anti-Christian discrimination” at UVa. and you can imagine that that will entail eradicating a lot of what goes on at UVa that right now nobody there thinks is up for debate. Certainly you can see some of this in what DeSantis is trying to do in Florida.

    to see what I mean, you only have to notice that some of the more public actions of university DEI administrations have been taken on behalf of religious conservatives, but only when those conservatives are Muslim. The latest one, which is especially awful, happened at Hamline University late last month: https://www.thefire.org/research-learn/fire-letter-hamline-university-december-27-2022

    the math isn’t hard to do. Once the relevant Supreme Court decisions come down, it will become the job of DEI administrators to eradicate “blasphemy” against Christians.

    I have always felt the DEI advocates are playing with fire for many reasons, but even I am surprised by how quickly it is being turned against itself.

    Maybe BR should celebrate: DEI could soon be a mechanism to eradicate views you don’t like from UVa!

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