LSU’s Memorial Tower displays the time on Monday, March 20, 2023, on Tower Drive in Baton Rouge, La. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator)
The LSU Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Thursday to eliminate some diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in its university system.
The resolution was vaguely listed on the meeting agenda and not included in the information packet provided to board members and the public in advance of the meeting. University spokespeople did not respond to requests for the document from the Illuminator.
The resolution, made public only moments before the board voted on it, passed without objection, though every Black board member except for Chairman Jimmie Woods — Collis Temple, James Williams and Valencia Jones — left the meeting before the resolution was voted on.
“ LSU looks for intellectually curious and academically gifted students to be admitted to our school no matter their race, ethnicity or financial background,” Woods said in a statement after the board meeting. “Today the board adopted a resolution to codify as policy the principles outlined by the supreme court ruling.”