To ensure Western Civilization’s survival, DEI is indispensable

Last week, ‌the University of​ Florida made an announcement that shook the academic community. They revealed that 13⁣ full-time diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) positions had been eliminated, and​ 15 faculty members had their administrative appointments terminated. This news was‍ followed by similar announcements from Florida International University and the University of North ‌Florida. It seems that the dismantling ⁤of DEI offices is becoming a trend, as New College and ​the ​ University of South Florida had already taken this step. However, the University of ‌Central Florida stands as a⁣ defiant outlier, openly defying Florida’s ban on DEI.

The influence of DEI ideology has permeated our nation’s⁢ academic institutions, infiltrating faculties and administrators ⁢alike. Disciplines such as sociology⁢ and gender studies have become breeding grounds for⁢ identity politics,⁣ blurring the line between academic expertise and ideological indoctrination.

Advocates for⁢ diversity argue‍ that the ​battle against ⁢the DEI‌ complex on campus‍ is a battle for ‍civilization itself. Mathew H. Grendle of Elon University writes in Inside Higher Ed ⁤that “DEI activities⁢ are ⁢designed to address and dismantle structures‌ and systems that perpetuate universal harm” (emphasis mine).​ The so-called “universal harms” are racial disparities, which are seen as a result of having standards. ‍However, standards are the foundation ⁢of⁢ civilization.

The proponents of diversity aim to dismantle fundamental elements of our civilization, such ⁤as the impartial rule of law, in favor of a two-tiered system of justice based on group identity. Terms ​like “intellectual diversity” and “free ⁤speech” are dismissed as code words for white supremacy or white privilege by ⁣DEI bureaucrats, who ⁢view them as implicitly violent. They argue that scientific achievement is a disguise for racial and⁤ sexual⁤ disparities, calling for new standards in the field of science. Even the Christian religion and traditional family ‌are targeted for dismantling, as they are seen as embodiments of heteronormative oppression.

What sets our current situation⁣ apart is the capture of the managerial ‍class. While diversity regulations like affirmative action have​ long been imposed by administrations at elite institutions, the ‌tyranny of these impositions has intensified since 2010. ⁣Higher education administrations across the country now require strategic plans that enforce ideological hiring processes, such as “diversity statements” and “implicit bias”⁣ training. They also push ​for⁤ curricular transformation and changes in student life, including separate commencement ceremonies⁣ for‍ black graduates. The prosecution‌ of professors for holding heterodox views has become increasingly common.

Florida at the Vanguard

Leading‍ the charge against⁤ the DEI⁤ revolution is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He⁤ has developed a‌ comprehensive strategy to dismantle and replace the DEI apparatus, recognizing the importance ⁣of ⁣both⁣ policy and personnel in​ higher education and⁣ beyond.

The first step ⁤in Florida’s higher education reform was‌ the⁤ passage of ⁤SB 266 in 2023. ‍This ​legislation⁢ called for the ⁢dismantling of DEI offices in Florida’s systems and a review of general ⁤education. It also established counter-programming at⁣ major ⁣institutions and paved the way for‍ program reviews in higher‌ education. The strategy was clear: in order to ​build‍ healthy entities, the administrative⁣ opposition‍ on campus needed to be dismantled.

Following ⁢the passage ‍of the law, state ‍agencies prohibited the‍ use of taxpayer⁣ funds for activities ⁣promoting ⁢”diversity, equity, and inclusion” or “political or social activism.” Individual Florida universities are now implementing this rule.

Meanwhile,‌ other states have not seen the same progress. The University of ⁢Texas at Austin, for example, has simply renamed its DEI offices and continued its push for DEI, in violation of the Texas ban on such offices. This‌ defiance is possible because‌ the university president and ⁣board of trustees are ‌willing to challenge political authorities. In ​contrast, Governor DeSantis and Florida executives have been selective in appointing university board members, ensuring that there are few presidents​ advocating ‌for DEI. The University of Florida, led by⁣ President Ben Sasse⁣ and Provost J. Scott Angle, stands ⁢as an example of this approach.

In addition, Florida’s higher education administrators have⁣ conducted a ⁤review of the state’s general education courses.‍ As ⁣a​ result, sociology ⁣has been dropped as a course that⁣ fulfills general education ⁤requirements. ⁢Florida ​Education ⁢Commissioner Manny ‌Diaz argues that students should focus on learning⁣ the truth about⁤ their country instead ⁣of being ‍radicalized by woke‌ ideologies in ‍college classrooms. This may be the first step towards reevaluating state support for programs that foster political activism.

Although still in its early ​stages, Florida⁣ is actively constructing an alternative vision for education that emphasizes traditional‍ learning, American competitiveness, and⁢ meritocratic achievement. Governor ‍DeSantis has allocated funds to strengthen the sciences ⁤throughout Florida’s university‌ system,‍ with the support⁤ of ⁣President Sasse. Additionally, he⁤ has championed the Hamilton​ Center for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida, which is dedicated to teaching and researching the ideas​ and traditions that form​ the⁣ foundations of ‍Western and American⁢ civilization. The governor has also prioritized technical ‍workforce education in⁤ Florida’s college system.

Dismantle the DEI Apparatus First

While many states‌ are taking ‍steps to address DEI, ‍their ⁣efforts may fall short if they do not present a viable alternative vision of education. Merely⁤ dismantling‌ DEI institutions without offering a ⁢replacement leaves room for them​ to ‍resurface elsewhere. Tennessee and Ohio, for example, have established centers similar to the Hamilton Center ⁣without first dismantling the ⁣administrative DEI​ apparatus. This is ⁤a crucial step, ⁤as an entrenched⁣ culture of ⁤tenured radicals can undermine ⁣any academic center. Hostile administrators are also likely‍ to undermine, defund, and discredit institutes that promote ⁣civil discourse and intellectual diversity.

It is not enough for governors‍ to rely solely on laws and executive orders. The ‌success of their efforts depends ‍on the personnel responsible for implementing these measures. Governor DeSantis has taken a comprehensive approach, uprooting the old system and installing his own.

Florida understands the high stakes⁣ involved: it’s‌ a⁢ choice between ‍DEI⁢ or ⁢the preservation of civilization. It is time for other governors to recognize these stakes and ‌take ⁤appropriate action.