No DEI, Only MEI: How This Texas University Is Leading a Bold ‘Anti-Woke’ Revolution in Higher Education

The University of Austin (UATX) is making waves in the academic world by rejecting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in favor of merit, excellence, and intelligence (MEI).

The university, founded in 2021, seeks to combat what its leadership calls the dominance of “woke” ideology in higher education by focusing solely on intellectual merit and free speech.

Admissions Focused on Intellectual Depth

In a recent interview with CBS News, UATX President Pano Kanelos explained the university’s unconventional admissions approach.

“We don’t take race, ethnicity, or gender into consideration,” he said.

“The primary thing we’re interested in is the mind.”

The MEI framework places a strong emphasis on intellectual capacity, particularly the ability to “think deeply,” Kanelos noted.

This stands in sharp contrast to DEI models, which critics argue sometimes prioritize identity over merit.

National Trend of DEI Rollbacks

UATX’s decision to abandon DEI policies is part of a broader trend across the U.S., as both institutions and corporations reconsider their commitments to these initiatives.

Earlier this year, the University of Florida eliminated all DEI positions following state law changes.

Similarly, universities in Alabama, including the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, have dissolved their DEI offices.

The corporate world is also scaling back. Major companies like Walmart, Ford, and Toyota have joined a growing list of firms reducing their DEI programs.

These moves come as DEI policies face increasing scrutiny, with critics claiming they sometimes prioritize optics over qualifications.

Critics Question UATX’s Approach to Diversity

Despite its focus on intellectual diversity, UATX has faced criticism for its lack of demographic variety.

During a recent “60 Minutes” interview, correspondent Jon Wertheim observed that UATX’s student body did not appear particularly diverse.

British-American historian and UATX co-founder Niall Ferguson defended the university’s approach.

“We are putting resources into finding talent of an intellectual variety,” he said.

“And if you’re interested in diversity, I recommend you look at the social backgrounds of our students, at the family circumstances of our students.”

Ferguson’s comments highlight UATX’s broader view of diversity, which emphasizes varied life experiences and socioeconomic backgrounds over racial or ethnic quotas.

A Platform for Free Speech

UATX’s commitment to free speech has drawn supporters from across the political spectrum.

One of the university’s high-profile co-founders is Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion journalist who now runs the independent media outlet The Free Press.

Weiss has been a vocal advocate for open dialogue and debate.

Liberal donor Nadine Strossen, former president of the American Civil Liberties Union, is another supporter.

Strossen underscored the importance of free expression, even when it involves controversial or unpopular opinions.

“You don’t do that by punishing expression. You do that through education, through more speech, not less,” she said.

A Conservative Alternative to Elite Institutions

With its focus on MEI and free speech, UATX offers a stark contrast to traditional elite universities like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia.

Many of these institutions have leaned heavily into DEI initiatives, though some have recently scaled back in light of political and legal pressures.

UATX’s founders believe their model provides a necessary alternative in the academic landscape, one that prioritizes intellectual rigor and open discourse over prevailing social trends.

Looking Ahead

Currently, UATX relies heavily on donor contributions to sustain its operations.

While some might assume its donors are exclusively conservative, this is not the case.

The university’s free speech ethos has attracted financial support from a diverse group of backers, including those with liberal viewpoints.

As the debate over DEI versus MEI continues, UATX’s approach could signal a shift in how institutions define diversity and merit in the years to come.

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