Last year, the Texas Legislature banned diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and initiatives at public universities and colleges. The Senate Education Committee is now calling on higher education administrators to certify how their schools are complying with Senate Bill 17.
Sen. Brandon Clayton (R-Conroe), who authored the anti-DEI law, told university system presidents and regents in a March 26 letter that he would take legal action if members did not comply with the law, and warned that state funding could be frozen.
“While we are encouraged by the progress many higher education institutions have seen in implementing SB 17, we are deeply concerned that many institutions may simply change office names or employee titles.” he wrote. “This letter must notify you that this practice is unacceptable.”
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The Senate Education Committee held a hearing in May with the university system's presidents and general counsel, demanding that the university not establish a DEI office or training, not make a diversity statement in hiring, and lack performance. Each university will explain how they ensure that they only provide employment based on the criteria and do not give undue consideration. race, gender, color, ethnicity, and national origin.
Clayton's letter was sent to the University of North Texas System, Texas Women's University System, Texas A&M University System, University of Texas System, University of Houston System, Texas Tech University System and Texas State University System.
Creighton said he sent a letter to the American Statesman to give advance notice to university administrators of the hearing, and said what the committee learned from the discussion would guide any actions. .
“These universities have had enough time to implement this new law and I hope the committee will hear from university leaders about their successes and the obstacles they have encountered,” he said in a written response to the Statesman. I look forward to it.” “Giving clear direction will allow the committee to work efficiently and determine whether more needs to be done in the next session.”
SB 17, which went into effect on January 1, quietly and hastily shut down DEI programs at all public universities in Texas. The closure of offices and programs at the University of Texas at Austin also included Monarch, a multicultural exchange center and program that supports undocumented students. UT-sponsored student multicultural organizations lost school funding. The Center for Gender and Sexuality was replaced by the Women's Community Center, and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement was replaced by the Division of Campus and Community Engagement.
more:What UT Lost with SB 17: An American Politician's Guide to Changes Due to Texas' Anti-DEI Law
SB 17 requires academic course instruction, research, enrolled student groups, guest speakers, data collection, recruitment, guest speakers, or policies implemented to support students regardless of race, sex, color, or ethnicity. does not apply to
“Everything is on the table”
Some students, professors, and lawyers complain that the university is over-complying with SB17, which is having a chilling effect on campuses by removing protections against historic exclusion for students of color and LGBTQ+ students. Says.
“The DEI Office is not, and has never been, a means to promote one race, gender, or sexual orientation over another,” Humane, an LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit, said in a statement. Courtney Avant, general counsel for the Rights Campaign, told the Statesman in January. “They have become an important tool for addressing inequality and discrimination.”
But opponents of DEI policies say the law doesn't go far enough.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, held its annual policy summit in Austin the week before Creighton sent the letter to university system administrators. The summit featured multiple panels on higher education, including Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), who wants Texas to continue to be a leader in the fight against “woke” ideology, or identity politics. One panel said “everything is on the table” for the next Congress. — on a college campus. He said Congress is not satisfied with SB17 and needs to do more.
“We're going to ask some very tough questions to make sure the bill is actually being enacted as intended,” Bettencourt, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, said during a panel discussion about SB17. Stated.
more:'Exhausted', 'confused' and 'unprecedented': Texas professors and students reflect on DEI ban
The Chronicle of Higher Education is tracking 82 bills targeting DEI across 28 states since 2023. Twelve cases have been completed so far. Clayton said SB 17 is the strongest yet.
“This bill is recognized as the strongest anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) law in the nation and would create a fundamental shift in the way higher education institutions operate,” Clayton wrote in a March 26 letter. It is mandatory.” “The Texas Legislature, together with the people of Texas, is committed to ensuring that each educational institution strives in good faith to meet the bill's provisions and that all students, faculty and staff strive for and achieve personal excellence in a meritocratic environment. I look forward to it.” ”
