Purpose

Why document this?

As a recent history student graduate from UT, I have become incredibly fascinated with the university's rich history during my time at the 40 Acres. Learning about the progress we have made over the years socially and institutionally is critical to understanding the importance of the programs that were put in place to support historically underrepresented student populations. The rich diversity of UT's population is something that makes it incredibly special, but it did not come out of nowhere. Numerous legal and policy battles, along with student protest, brought us to the campus we see today. DEI programs and initiatives were born out of the need to support Black, Latinx, Asian, and LGBTQ+ students in a space that they fought to feel welcomed in. 
When legislation attempts to erase these programs, it is important to take a look back. Our history shows us why these offices and initiatives are valuable, and they have even existed for longer than one may think. At the same time, it is incredibly crucial to listen to the voices of the community most affected by this legislation, the students, faculty, and staff on campus. 

So, why document this? I view this piece of legislation as another moment on the timeline of the University of Texas' history of integration and inclusion. The university, though technically "integrated" more than 70 years ago, still does not represent the demographics of her home state, Texas. Making this campus a welcoming and inclusive place to all students was most definitely still a work in progress, and SB-17 represents a swing in the political pendulum away from the favor of minority groups.
In addition to the historical value of this moment, it is increasingly important to document events such as these in our digital age. Websites and documents can be removed at the blink of an eye, with no permanent, physical record left behind. Because many organizations and offices were completely shut down and removed from UT's websites, I attempted to capture as much important information as I could by downloading or taking screenshots of webpages. Anything I could grab will be uploaded here, onto this site, to maintain the record of these initiatives for as long as I am able.