University of Tennessee removes 'inclusive holiday' post

The University of Tennessee removed a Web post about "inclusive holiday celebrations" Tuesday after it had drawn the ire of state lawmakers and the Tennessee Republican Party, which accused the college of trying to "eliminate Christianity" from campus parties.

The post, which came from the Knoxville campus' Office of Diversity and Inclusion, included several recommendations to "ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise," including the suggestion not to participate in "Secret Santa" or "Dreidel" at holiday parties.

"Holiday parties and celebrations should celebrate and build upon workplace relationships and team morale with no emphasis on religion or culture," the post said.

That post has been replaced by a new statement that avoids specific suggestions — and doesn't use the word religion at all. Instead, the new post asks students and employees to "be mindful of the rich diversity of our campus community."

In a statement on Tuesday, UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said the original post was "poorly worded." He added that he would work to prevent future "communications that deter from making progress."

Oversight of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's website has been reassigned to Vice Chancellor for Communications Margie Nichols, who oversees the university's Office of Communications and Marketing.

Republican lawmakers were quick to blast the original post last week. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said that Cheek should resign if he had approved the post. If not, Ramsey said, the entire staff of the diversity office should be fired.

In a resolution passed on Saturday, the Tennessee GOP State Executive Committee called for lawmakers to eliminate funding for the Knoxville diversity office.

UT's decision to remove the post marks a sharp departure from earlier statements on the controversy. The university repeatedly had said the Web post was not policy and that its optional suggestions were meant to make more people from different backgrounds feel welcome on campus.

It marks the second time this semester that UT removed a post on from the diversity office's website. Administrators pulled a post supporting the use of gender-neutral pronouns in September after state lawmakers voiced their outrage.

While talking with reporters Tuesday afternoon, UT system President Joe DiPietro — who oversees campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin and Memphis — said that UT remains dedicated to improving diversity and inclusion across the system.

“We’re in this business of trying to advance to diversity, and we really mean that and I’m very committed to it," DiPietro told reporters, “We’re growing through this process and we need to make sure we try to do it in the very best way.”

DiPietro said he has noticed that more lawmakers are getting involved with the day-to-day operations of the university system, including the Web posts, the Knoxville campus’ Sex Week and changes to the Lady Vols nickname.

He said that, while legislators are "very important supporters," their increasing involvement on day-to-day matters disappointed him.

“They have every right to be able to say, ‘How are you spending your money and are you doing good things with it?’ ” he said. “But our board should be given plenty of latitude to govern us in the way that our policies and guidelines and bylaws for the board are laid out.”

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.