The process to hire an assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion has halted due to the hiring freeze the university put in place for jobs not required by the collective bargaining agreements. 

After establishing a search committee for the new position at the end of February, the committee conducted interviews virtually via Google Hangouts with six candidates in March and narrowed it down to two finalists, who were to go through several interviews in April. Before the hiring freeze, the committee was hoping to have a decision by mid-April. 

The university recognizes the need remains.

In an email to the Midway, Priyanka Rupani, Lab’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion, said, “The university has offered resources and support from their Diversity and Inclusion office to support our necessary DEI work at Lab.”