Vanderbilt University has hired the local office of Baker Donelson to conduct an independent review of what the college says are "recent incidents” of covert recordings of its employees.Â
Baker Donelson, which is headquartered in Memphis, will oversee the review, according to a statement issued by Vanderbilt on Thursday. The release notes that the firm “will be tasked with reviewing the specific circumstances related to the recordings and identifying steps the university can take to ensure all employees fully understand the university’s policies and consistently act in accordance.”Â
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Vanderbilt says it will review findings made from the report. As part of university protocol, staff involved will "step back" from regular responsibilities to allow the review to unfold.
“Vanderbilt is committed to being a destination for the most promising individuals from a broad range of perspectives and creating an environment where they can realize their full potential,” the statement reads.Â
A spokesperson with Vanderbilt could not immediately provide details on the incidents that prompted the hiring of Baker Donelson.
Both Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (which operates independently of the university) have been in the news lately due to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, with VUMC having seen layoffs to reduce operational costs.Â
The VUMC layoffs came after the medical center was forced to eliminate all DEI programs because the Trump administration demanded that all entities receiving federal funding must end such programs.
Earlier this month, a right-wing media outlet released a covertly recorded video of a conversation with an administrator at Nashville's Belmont University. The video prompted U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee's 5th Congressional District to call for an investigation into Belmont's DEI practices.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
