Texas lawmakers who enacted a state law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at public universities say the state universities take the bill “very seriously” and try to get around it with sneaky workarounds. I warned you not to do it.
Republican state Sen. Brandon Clayton told “Fox & Friends” on Saturday that other schools covered by the law are also the state’s flagship school, which announced dozens of pay cuts and layoffs last year. He said it would be a good idea to follow the example of the University of Texas at Austin. Week in compliance with new legislation.
“We hope that many other public universities in the state will follow the University of Texas’ lead,” he said.
“We have received a letter from the Texas Senate Education Committee requesting compliance with the new law, which also includes a provision to refund funds if the university does not comply.A public hearing will be held in the coming weeks. We are preparing for a public hearing to ensure that the Chancellor and the Board of Regents demonstrate that they are taking this new law very seriously.”
Professors at the University of Texas, home to one of the nation’s largest student bodies, have denounced the cuts as a violation of academic freedom. Asked how the state can ensure that universities do not perpetuate the “DEI ideology” by simply dismantling it or reconfiguring it through other departments, Creighton said funding Freezing or forcing foreclosures would be a “strong incentive,” he said.
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Aerial view of the University of Texas at Austin at sunset. (St. Petersburg)
“We want to permanently remove these DEI offices from campus,” he said. “We will not reauthorize, rename, or restart DEI efforts based on any other strategy. We urge the Texas Senate Education Committee here to ensure that we accomplish just that.” How do we know? I think the university is doing some housecleaning.” That’s why the University of Texas recently announced these changes in response to a letter from the Senate Education Committee. has proposed the most powerful bill in the nation, expected to include a clawback provision for school-wide funding. University is important. ”
In explaining his opposition, Clayton, like other critics of DEI programs at the university level, argued that they are simply discrimination by another name. DEI proponents argue that DEI addresses an increasingly diverse student population and is a form of redress for systemic inequities.
“We have seen data on minority faculty recruitment and employment that shows a regression in recruitment and performance under DEI,” Clayton said. “In Texas, we’ve seen professors fired who swore to treat all students equally. Asian American students have seen DEI strategies and politics required of all professors applying for jobs. “We’ve seen people removed from the Pledge of Allegiance on the left. We’re not going to do that.” In Texas, we’re standing by it. That is a chilling effect on free speech.”
The announcement at the University of Texas followed a new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that goes into effect on January 1 and effectively dissolves DEI agencies at public universities in the state. fox news digital Previously reported.
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Texas Sen. Brandon Clayton said DEI programs have a chilling effect on free speech. (YouTube screenshot)
The firings came after Creighton outlined expectations for how the university would comply with state law. He wrote that the measure “requires fundamental shifts in the operations of higher education institutions.” He added that universities are expected to foster a “results-based environment”.
The law requires all governing boards of public universities to prohibit their institutions from establishing and maintaining DEI offices and issuing “DEI statements.” Additionally, hiring practices and training are no longer obsolete. Can use DEI statements.
Earlier this year, the University of Florida eliminated all DEI positions and administrative appointments, following similar legislation across the state.
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Fox News’ Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.
