Some SEMO diversity, equity and inclusion web pages down temporarily

Several SEMO web pages related to diversity activities and services were unavailable Tuesday afternoon. This includes embedded web pages referencing content related to the LGBTQ+ resource center, Black Faculty and Staff Alliance, presidential task force and religion.

The pages were discovered to be down around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Other pages that were down include Equity Initiative and Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance.

While some pages have returned around 5 pm, others remain unavailable.

The pages that have returned include the Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance, LGBTQ+ resource center and religion.

A page dedicated to Hispanic Heritage was returned but was retitled Community Programming.

Pages that have yet to be restored include one dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, and pages bearing information about the Black Faculty Staff Alliance and the Presidential Task Force.

The Equity Initiatives page has now been changed to the Dean of Students. The current Title XI coordinator and dean of students Trae Mitten. However, the assistant to the president's equity initiatives has been empty since the fall of 2024.

Programs that fall under diversity, equity and inclusion include services such as the LGBTQ+ resource center and Title IX, which initiates sexual violence policies and prevention programs on campus.

SEMO has not released any statement regarding the web pages being unavailable.

Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications Tonya Wells said the university had been working on the website, and the pages may have been unavailable due to that process.

Missouri State has recently disbanded its DEI programs.

According to the Fall 2024 Ethnicity by Gender as of the Fourth Week Census, currently, there are over 3,000 students who do not identify as white and may be affected if DEI programs are removed from SEMO.

Additionally, if DEI programs were removed, many students who identify as LGBTQ+ and those of a religious affiliation would also be affected.

As this story develops, check southeastarrow.com for updates.