The UofA backtracking and smearing of DEI has harmed its reputation. Reputation is everything for universities (and ever inflating tuition).
"In an emailed statement, a university spokesperson reiterated to CBC News that the proposed policy change was carefully designed to stay compliant with federal requirements.
But Amir Attaran, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, doesn’t buy that.
“I trust the federal government to make sure the U of A does the right thing and keeps its EDI program in place,” he said."

Federal research body in talks with U of A to ensure compliance with EDI requirements | CBC News
Federal government lawyers have contacted the University of Alberta to make sure it's meeting equity requirements for the country’s most prestigious professorships. It comes after the university proposed to remove equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) from its hiring policy.
