Letter to the Editor: Illegal Actions by the UA Board of Regents

By Abel Bult-Ito

The University of Alaska Board of Regents passed a motion on February 21, 2025, to gut the University of Alaska’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Regent Albiona Selimi was the only member of the Board of Regents to show humanity, compassion, and a moral compass by voting no.

With this motion, the Board of Regents attempts to destroy the essence of what we are as a public university while guided by political ideology.

My parents were born during World War II under German occupation. I would not be here if my grandparents had not protected my parents. I would not have known my grandfather if my grandmother had not delayed the Nazis at the front door of their small family farm so my grandfather was able to run across their fields in the back and escape into the woods. The Nazis were rounding up village males that day for execution in retaliation for attacks by the Dutch Resistance. Elon Musk’s sieg heils are unpleasant reminders of this dark time in history.

The Board of Regents’ motion and directives are unconstitutional and violate our First and Fifth Amendment rights.

The relevant executive orders and guidance they refer to in order to justify their illegal actions are under temporary restraining orders because federal judges believe them to be illegal and unconstitutional.

The Board of Regents, therefore, violated the U.S. Constitution, and anyone at the University of Alaska who executes their directives would also be violating our Constitution.

The Board of Regents stated that it “reaffirms its dedication to being an inclusive, nondiscriminatory institution, committed to offering equal opportunity and access for all individuals,” but this is in direct conflict with the content of the motion to scrub DEI from public university records.

The Board of Regents also stated, “We also reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment and honoring Alaska Native culture and heritage" in an attempt to placate an important segment of our students and university employees. This is disrespectful and disingenuous at best.

I do not see how the Regents who voted yes can remain on the Board of Regents and have any credibility left.

If they were to resign now, at least the students and employees of the University of Alaska would know that they took responsibility for their irresponsible actions and that they have a modicum of decency left.

If they remain on the Board of Regents, they will forever be known as the ones who violated the U.S. Constitution and were responsible for the demise of the University of Alaska as we know it.