University in Utah canceled conference focused on censorship over DEI concerns– www.thecollegefix.com

Blurb

Key Takeaways

• Weber State University canceled its Unity Conference due to concerns over compliance with a new state law restricting discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics outside of academic settings.
• The cancellation sparked backlash over free speech and led to an alternative event, ‘Unity Conference: Uncensored version.’
• The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression criticized the university for overinterpreting the law and limiting faculty speech.

Weber State University’s annual Unity Conference was recently canceled by administrators over concerns that its content would violate a new anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law in the state.

The irony? This year’s theme was on censorship.

The decision ignited a firestorm of debate about free speech and academic freedom — and prompted scholars to host an alternative event titled “Unity Conference: Uncensored version.”