DeSantis signs bill cutting DEI programs at public colleges in Florida.

Florida Governor Signs Bill Banning Funding for DEI Programs in Public Colleges

On Monday, May 15, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that prohibits public colleges in Florida from funding diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The move is part of a larger conservative effort to tackle higher education DEI programs, which DeSantis and other notable GOP members claim promote liberal dogma and strengthen racial division.

Proponents of DEI programs argue that these lessons are essential for supporting the country’s increasingly diverse student populations. However, the new law in Florida forbids public colleges from using state or federal funds for DEI initiatives. It also increases the hiring authority of university presidents and boards of trustees.

What the New Law Entails

The legislation prohibits public colleges from offering general education courses that “distort significant historical events,” teach “identity politics,” or are “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, or economic inequities.”

Additionally, the law forbids public colleges from using state or federal funds for DEI initiatives. This includes curriculums speaking on sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic position, in addition to race and ethnicity.

“What this does is reorient our universities back to their traditional mission and part of that traditional mission is to treat people as individuals, not to try to divvy them up based on any type of superficial characteristics,” DeSantis said.

Academic Freedom Concerns

Some higher education teachers and administrators claim that the state of Florida is trampling on academic freedom in response to the Florida law. In a recent interview, Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors, said “It’s basically state-mandated censorship, which has no place in a democracy.”

Protests and Opposition

Angry protesters attended the event, and their chants could be heard during the bill-signing ceremony. Students interested in “niche subjects,” such as critical race theory (CRT), should look elsewhere, according to DeSantis. “Florida’s getting out of that game… If you want to do things like study gender ideology, go to Berkeley. Go to some of these other places,” DeSantis declared.

Despite opposition, DeSantis remains committed to keeping Florida ranked #1 in higher education.

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