As of the beginning of Wednesday, the division had approximately 100 full-time employees, John Lucas, UW-Madison spokesperson, said. Lucas said UW-Madison sent the employees who were laid off a notice Wednesday.
The restructuring of the diversity division is one of several recommendations a working group consisting of administrators identified over the past year, Mnookin said. She said she charged the working group with completing a review of how UW-Madison is supporting its undergraduate students.
The changes to the diversity division come after the UW Board of Regents in 2023 reached an agreement with Republican lawmakers to freeze hiring for diversity, equity and inclusion positions for three years and restructure related roles in exchange for receiving millions of dollars in state aid.