The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After initially claiming they are following all state and federal laws regarding DEI policies and immigration, Belmont University has announced it will be undergoing an independent audit to ensure all their policies come into compliance after additional internal documents were leaked showing more discriminatory hiring practices.
Earlier this month, undercover footage was obtained wherein a university staffer admitted the school knowingly enrolls illegal alien students and hides them from discovery and that the rebrand of the DEI office to the Office of Hope Unity and Belonging (HUB) was a deliberate circumvention of anti-discriminatory federal policies.
In response, Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles immediately called for a federal investigation into the school and released several “Belmont Bombshells” containing documents obtained from whistleblowers, including emails about the faculty DEI Committee and curriculum proposals requiring “diversity impact statements” for new or updated courses to be considered.
Belmont President Greg Jones initially responded to the evidence by sending a campus-wide email and issuing press statements claiming the school was being unfairly portrayed and expressing “disappointment” in Rep. Ogles for his exposés, but continued conservative lawmaker and media pressure, along with another batch of leaked internal documents, has apparently led the university to reverse course and run some damage control.
The latest documents show Belmont’s official hiring guidelines for Deans which, amongst a litany of other DEI provisions, explicitly requires the prioritization of minority candidates, even stating job descriptions “must explicitly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups in the U.S.”, and also forces readvertisement of the position if a minority does not apply.
One form also encourages Hiring Search Committee members to, “utilize their professional networks, disciplinary listservs, professional groups’ email lists, and other outlets to attract candidates, paying special attention to recruiting minority candidates.” And a screenshot from the staff portal containing the hiring practices lists a “Contributions to Diversity Rubric” as a resource for reviewing applicants.
“That’s racist and possibly illegal. Belmont can either end this now and salvage their reputation- or get defunded,” Ogles wrote.
Now, according to an email from the President’s Office to faculty and staff, the university has decided to enlist “an external partner to initiate an independent compliance review” aiming to bring the school into complete observance of President Trump’s executive orders requiring the termination of any and all DEI programs and initiatives in higher education institutions.
The review will also reportedly determine if Belmont is abiding by all state and federal immigration laws, including the new Tennessee law creating felony offenses for human smuggling, which is partially defined as concealing, harboring, or shielding illegals from authorities.
Ogles is not the only federal official addressing the Belmont coverups as Senator Marsha Blackburn sent a letter to President Jones urging the school “to abandon its woke DEI practices and return to Belmont’s history as a preeminent educational institution”.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also criticized Belmont for obstructing federal immigration law during a recent press conference, saying that the university’s willingness to “house illegal immigrants on their campus” is “in defiance of the federal government”.
Additionally, many Belmont students are expressing support for Ogles’ investigation and the calls to dismantle the DEI programs.
One senior, Mya Goodmanson, spoke to Campus Reform, stating she’s, “very pleased with the actions [Ogles has] taken. The HUB has been publicly an office for DEI since its conception. It’s exciting and creates hope in students to see influences and elected official get involved in creating change. I am so happy to see my school get caught red handed for their blatant woke policy.”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
A terrific example of local action brings national attention as advocated by General Flynn! Yet another racist institution being forced to crawl out from under the rocks where its been trying to hide…
As lucifer’s dimmercraps usually do, Belmont President Greg Jones initially responded to the evidence by sending a campus-wide email and issuing press statements claiming the school was being unfairly portrayed and expressing “disappointment” in Rep. Ogles.