Univ. of Tenn. Office for Diversity most egregious waste of taxpayer money

The University of Tennessee Office for Diversity and Inclusion has been named the biggest waste of taxpayer money in a report released Tuesday by the independent Beacon Center of Tennessee.

"There are plenty of examples that are more costly to taxpayers, but it's about what's the most egregious use of (the office's) dollars," said Beacon Center President and CEO Justin Owen.

While the Office for Diversity and Inclusion was not deemed the largest "waste" of taxpayer money in terms of quantity spent, it was chosen the most egregious waste by readers of the Beacon Center's website. Citing the controversy around memos the office released suggesting that faculty and students use gender-neutral pronouns, Owen praised the state Legislature for diverting the office's funds to minority scholarships last session. UT disbanded the office and eliminated its four staff positions soon after the funds were diverted.

"Fortunately, the Legislature properly reprimanded this office and has since been shuttered, but not before it spent over $400,000 last year in taxpayer money," Owen said.

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