Second State Bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion From College Campuses

Onlookers watch as Confederate statues are removed from the University of Texas in Austin, on Aug. 21, 2017. Stephen Spillman/Reuters

Texas will become the second state in the nation behind Florida to dismantle political ideologies housed in so-called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices at universities.

The passing of Texas Senate Bill 17—which prohibits public universities and colleges from having DEI offices—happened on May 27 after a conference committee of lawmakers in the Texas Legislature reconciled differences between the two chambers’ versions.

The next step is to send it to Gov. Greg Abbott, who indicated on Twitter that he will sign the bill.

Critics such as James Lindsay, author of “The Marxification of Education,” describe DEI as part of a Marxist-based ideology that divides people into groups of oppressors and victims based on race and gender in an effort to redistribute resources and power to the victims.

People hold up signs against critical race theory (CRT) being taught in schools during a rally at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg, Va., on June 12, 2021. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Modern CRT is a descendent of critical theory taught at the Frankfurt School, an early Western Marxist school whose members came to Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York in 1934, according to Heritage Action for America.

CRT sees America as having been founded on the system of capitalism, which is racist, and therefore must be dismantled, according to the same group.

Supporters of DEI and CRT say the ideologies challenge the dominant narrative about America’s history and seek to make the country more equitable. The goal is to proactively attack the systems that allow discrimination against minorities.

Resistance to DEI

Sen. Brandon Creighton, Texas Senate Bill 17’s chief architect, pointed out on Twitter that taxpayer money put toward DEI efforts could now be applied to academics.

“The elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices will result in millions [of dollars] in savings for taxpayers and restore a culture of free inquiry, meritocracy, equal opportunity, genuine innovation within Texas higher education,” he wrote in the post.

Meanwhile, two more red states—North Dakota and Tennessee—have passed laws to remove DEI loyalty statements from hiring requirements. And they’ve banned DEI training from universities without banning the DEI offices.

By submitting DEI loyalty statements, many colleges and universities require faculty candidates to demonstrate their commitment to the belief system. The statements often outline how special consideration or aid will be given to racial minorities or people identifying as LGBT.

Texas Sen. Brandon Creighton speaks at a public forum held by The Texan publication on Jan. 24, 2023. Darlene McCormick Sanchez/The Epoch Times

Thirty-five bills banning DEI in 20 states were launched in legislatures nationwide in 2023, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s DEI legislation tracker.

Most were initiated in Republican-controlled legislatures. But one even appeared in Democrat-controlled Oregon, introduced by a Republican lawmaker.

South Carolina, Missouri, and Iowa are among states considering similar legislation targeting DEI programs.

Iowa passed a bill curtailing DEI in educational budgets, requiring a study before any public money can be spent on it.

Much of the money spent on salaries for DEI staffers supports what critics describe as “woke” programs based on social justice activism aimed at race and gender.

For example, The Epoch Times learned that salaries were paid at the University of Texas at Austin’s Gender and Sexuality Center, which has a mission to “explore, organize, and promote learning around issues of gender and sexuality.”

The center’s event calendar includes things like “Trans Thursdays” and “Feminist Fridays.”

Vast amounts of taxpayer money spent on DEI salaries demonstrate what detractors say is a divisive ideology siphoning money away from academics.

Texas and Florida are expected to save millions of taxpayer dollars by banning such programs in higher education.

Documentation obtained by The Epoch Times from UT Austin showed DEI salaries cost more than $13 million.

Following Florida’s Lead

The Texas bill is similar to Florida legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced his bid for the U.S. presidency last week.

The Florida anti-DEI laws lean heavily into dismantling “woke” ideology in education and the workplace.

Earlier this month, DeSantis signed SB 266 and HB 931 to prohibit universities and colleges from spending federal or state dollars on discriminatory initiatives, such as DEI.

The new laws also stop them from requiring students, faculty, or staff to pledge loyalty to such initiatives.

At about the same time, Texas GOP House members fought a fierce battle against state Democrats, who tried to kill or weaken the DEI bill during five hours of debate. Ultimately, it passed.

The final version of Texas Senate Bill 17 would ban DEI offices—except those required by federal law, programs, loyalty statements, and training—at publicly funded universities.

Texas lawmakers debated banning DEI on college campuses for more than five hours at the state capitol in Austin on May 19, 2023. Courtesy of the Texas Legislature

The committee removed language that would have allowed DEI employees—whose jobs would be eliminated—to be offered similar paying positions within Texas universities. Conservatives said they considered that a win.

Texas law will provide a provision for injunctive relief to stop violations of the law.

Texas also passed SB 18, in which the House codified tenure in the law, rather than removing it, as the Senate intended. The bill’s final version would keep tenure the same, but increase legislative oversight.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made changing tenure a legislative priority after the University of Texas Austin faculty passed a resolution last year daring anyone—including the “legislature or the Board of Regents”—to stop them from teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT).

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on May 18, 2020. Lynda M. Gonzalez-Pool/Getty Images

“It is shocking that these professors, who live inside a bubble, genuinely believe they are not accountable to anyone,” Patrick said in an April news release.

“That is not how the real world works. Of course, they are accountable to the Texas Legislature and their board of regents. This behavior must not be tolerated.”

Those opposed to the Texas bills to ban DEI and curb tenure launched rallies and gave testimony.

Professors, college students, and left-wing activists held a “Day of Action” on May 3 at the Texas Capitol.

There, they rallied to keep DEI offices and tenure for professors in the state’s public higher education institutions.

Ultimately, Texas did not pass a DEI-related bill, SB 16, which would have protected students from being penalized for not affirming that they agree with DEI or CRT.

Those beliefs often disparage Christianity, white people, and conservatives.