Republican politicians helped lead the fight to remove the guidance.

Inside Higher Ed reports.

U of Tennessee pulls controversial holiday guidance

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has withdrawn the controversial guidance on holiday parties that infuriated Republican politicians, who demanded that the campus chancellor, Jimmy Cheek, be fired and that the diversity office be cut.

The chancellor remains in his job and the diversity office is intact, but the website of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will no longer be controlled by the diversity office. Rather, it will be run by the vice chancellor of communications.

The controversial guidance specifically urged people not to have Christmas parties. While the guidance was not mandatory and many at Tennessee were unaware of it or ignored it until politicians focused on it, it was specific about things to do and not to do.

“Holiday parties and celebrations should celebrate and build upon workplace relationships and team morale with no emphasis on religion or culture. Ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise,” said the document.