I oppose SB 17.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs on college campuses are under attack. So many false claims have been made about what DEI programs do and the impact they have (or lack thereof according to some of the legislators). I personally have experienced the incredible positive impact of these programs and have led these kinds of programs for over 20 years.
To see just a snippet of the impact these programs have, see the reflection posts I made when we left behind the Women in Engineering Program at UT Austin and launched Women in STEM for all STEM students across campus:
I hope that many show up on May 8th at the state capital to testify in opposition to SB 17 and the abolishment of all this great work and programming we have created over the past 30+ years that have impacted hundreds of thousands of women in STEM students, advocates, employers, and more across Texas and beyond! If you can’t join in person, please submit a 3000 character or less statement at https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c290 by 8 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2023. Your personal story of impact – naming programs like the Women in Engineering Program and Women in STEM and Equal Opportunity in Engineering Program and others – can help share WHY these programs should continue. Please make your voice known so this important work can continue into the future.
Here is the public comment I submitted on May 7, 2023 in opposition to SB 17.
I’m Tricia Berry & I’m speaking for myself as a private individual. I oppose SB 17. I am an ex-Dow engineer & college DEI program volunteer, Executive Director of Women in STEM at The University of Texas at Austin, Broadening Participation (Diversity) Director for the UT Austin Center for Dynamics & Control of Materials: a National Science Foundation Materials Research Science & Engineering Center, & Greater Austin STEM Ecosystem board member. These entities value DEI, support college DEI programs, & understand the importance of DEI efforts for student success, growth of Texas’s STEM workforce, & securing federal & corporate funding.
I am the successful engineer & STEM professional I am today because of DEI programs at UT Austin, ACC, UH Clear Lake & others. Coming from a rural farm town, I was underprepared for UT Austin STEM courses. Thanks to the Women in Engineering Program & DEI programs supporting underprepared students like me, I (and ALL students) had access to free tutoring, a peer network to help me feel like I belonged at UT & in the engineering field, & staff & faculty who supported my academic & professional journey. They supported, encouraged & welcomed me in to get the help I needed to be a successful student & engineer. I benefited greatly from college DEI programs & know the support they provide has far-reaching impacts that create more inclusive & engaging campus experiences for all. No student is required to participate, but ALL students benefit from having access to DEI support structures & peer communities when needed.
As a UT Austin student, I helped found the Women in Engineering Program Evening with Industry to celebrate diversity in engineering & provide space for Texas companies to recruit diverse STEM talent. While designed to increase confidence in women to pursue engineering careers, all engineering students were invited to participate. Since 1993, 300 engineering students from all demographics & 40 companies have participated annually – Dell, IBM, Samsung, Intel, Shell, Dow, ExxonMobil, Texas Instruments & more! Companies depend upon, volunteer with, and fund campus DEI programs to connect with diverse talent & support growing STEM workforce & hiring needs.
I was a student when UT’s Women in Engineering Program launched in 1992 and saw enrollment jump to 20% women. With nationally recognized STEM Girl Day & camps reaching 10,000+ K-12th graders annually (20% boys) led by UT Austin Women in STEM, a community to support women entering male-dominated fields, & support from companies seeking to meet STEM hiring and workforce development needs, undergrad engineering enrollment has grown to 30%+ women. We will lose amazing STEM talent without the focused, community-building & support DEI programs provide. Eliminating DEI programs will be detrimental to our Texas colleges and STEM workforce & ability to seek federal/corporate grants & research centers that ultimately support & benefit ALL across Texas and beyond.
Tricia Berry 