FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion has closed its doors silently, on UNA’s campus.
Nikita Conner is a sophomore on campus, who tells News 19, she was not notified about the closure.
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“My friends and I showed up, and the door was locked,” Conner said.
The decision comes after Senate Bill 129 passed, which prevents state agencies, local board of education and institutions of higher education from sponsoring DEI.
Jess Foreman is a freshman on campus. Foreman said he is upset that the center closed.
“I think having a shared space for those people who have that type of sexuality or gender identity is important I don’t see any reason as to why it should shut down,” Foreman said.
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News 19 reached out to UNA and this was their statement:
“The University of North Alabama is committed to complying fully with state and federal law.”
Conner said she went to the inclusion center on a regular basis, and is sad that it’s no longer accessible on campus.
“Not everything is accessible for everyone, and it’s just hard knowing that they just don’t really care because there is so many students here, and not everyone is the same, and not everyone comes from the same background,” Conner said.
UNA is the sixth university in Alabama to get rid of an inclusion office, including the University of Alabama, Auburn, and UAB.
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