AUSTIN (KXAN) — No one can miss seeing the dozens of small notes with the words “Not Our Texas” written on them placed on buildings, fences, signs and even tree trunks all throughout the West Campus neighborhood. Some even reference an Instagram account with this same name, which is tied to a movement opposing a law banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on Texas college campuses.
The appearance of these slips of paper coincides with the announcement this week that the University of Texas at Austin is terminating at least 20 employees whose jobs are tied to DEI. Several sources confirmed the firings, which are supposed to take effect on July 5.
KXAN reached out Thursday afternoon to the organizers behind the Not Our Texas Instagram account, asking whether the notes are connected to their movement. This story will be updated once any responses are shared. The group’s first post in February included a caption reading, “#NOTOURTEXAS is a movement ignited to combat Texas’s implementation of Senate-Bill 17.” Two days ago, another post mentioned holding an emergency meeting along with a statement slamming the firings.
In an email sent out Tuesday, UT President Jay Hartzell said the university “eliminated” its positions and programs under the Division of Campus and and Community Engagement (DCCE). This is due to Senate Bill 17, “which prohibits many activities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).”
Hartzell also wrote in his email that the law led the campus to evaluate its “post-SB 17 portfolio of divisions, programs, and positions.” The timing of this announcement comes exactly one week after Texas Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, sent a letter to the leaders of seven public colleges and universities throughout the state warning them about the consequences of not complying with SB 17.
Creighton also asked the respective school leaders to report their compliance efforts by May 3, which is around the time when the Senate Committee on Education will hold a hearing about this matter.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan posted a lengthy message on his X account applauding the news about UT letting go of these employees. The Beaumont Republican is facing a primary runoff next month against GOP challenger David Covey, who finished ahead of him during the initial election.
“It is a victory for common sense and proof that the Legislature’s actions are working,” Phelan wrote in part.
This development, though, sparked intense criticism from UT students, local advocacy organizations and Democratic lawmakers. Texas Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, opposed SB 17 from the beginning and told KXAN his constituents discussed negative impacts, even before news of the UT firings.
“I’m mad as hell, and I hope other people are mad as hell,” West said, “because if they’re not, what you’re getting now is going to be what you’re continuing to get.”
Reporting from Jala Washington, Jennifer Sanders, Ryan Chandler and Erica Pauda contributed to this story.