Across the nation, campus communities have been grappling with the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as conservative lawmakers have painted these as discriminatory toward people not of a protected class. Likewise here in Alabama, SB129 prohibits public institutions from creating or maintaining DEI programs and any requirements to participate in these programs.
In compliance with SB129, the Student Government Association replaced its DEI Passport program, which rewarded student organizations with points toward applications for block seating at football games if their members attended DEI events, with the Capstone Wellness Explorer.
The CWE is an engagement-tracking program to cultivate a balanced and fulfilling collegiate experience through academic, social, spiritual, psychological, physical, career and financial wellness.
This is a more inclusive initiative than the DEI Passport, as it broadens the focus beyond diversity, equity and inclusion to a wider range of student wellness topics. Additionally, the DEI Passport program promoted limited beliefs on campus such as encouraging mainly progressive viewpoints on topics like gender and sexuality rather than encouraging genuine diversity of thought, as argued in SB129.
Now with the CWE, students can personalize their wellness journey to align with their beliefs, wants and needs while still covering a broad repertoire of important issues of the day. The CWE is implemented through a wide range of events every week for two different paths: the organizational path and the individual path.
On-campus organizations like fraternities can benefit from the CWE initiative by taking the organizational path, which accumulates points for the organization when members attend wellness events. These points can be used for block seating applications, which incentivizes organizations to attend events with as many members as possible with the ultimate goal being to promote group well-being and morale.
The second path for the CWE is the individual path, where a person can opt into the program of their own accord. This is a formal path that allows individual students to explore and learn about the dimensions of student wellness through on-campus events. Even if the student is part of an organization that participates in the CWE, they can also participate independently.
As we move into this semester and beyond, the success of the CWE depends on students actively engaging with and participating in the initiative. I believe that the future is brighter with the CWE in the forefront of student life, especially as the SGA has worked to ensure even those who are disappointed about the loss of the DEI Passport program can find their place in enhancing their well-being and sense of belonging through the CWE.
Learning how to engage with this initiative is vital to the heart of the Capstone because it means that each of us have the chance to shape a campus culture that prioritizes holistic well-being, growth and belonging without the divisiveness of DEI.