On Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:57:10 -0500, Obama Ruined America
<remailer@domain.invalid> wrote:

>On Wednesday Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, signed an executive
>order in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
>programs at agencies and public colleges and universities across the
>state.
>
>The order prohibits them from using state funds, property or
>resources towards DEI initiatives and orders them to dismiss “non-
>critical personnel�. It is effective immediately, but institutions
>are expected to comply no later than 31 May 2024.
>
>The 25 public colleges and universities in the state also have to
>provide reports that detail the expenditure of their former DEI
>initiatives and job positions. Stitt said he is “implementing
>greater protections for Oklahomans and their tax dollars�. But
>according to local news outlet KFOR, only “around $10.2m was spent
>on DEI programs in the past decade. It accounted for three-tenths of
>one percent of all higher education spending.�
>
>The governor also said that Oklahoma should focus on supporting
>low-income and first-generation students instead of supporting
>students based on their race. However, DEI programs typically
>provide support not only for students from marginalized communities,
>but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation
>students, single parents and students with disabilities.
>
>
>The University of Oklahoma’s Black emergency response team, a
>student organization focused on “activism, advocacy, and social
>justice“ released a statement saying that the executive order raises
>concerns.
>
>“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and
>entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space
>for minority and marginalized communities on higher education
>campuses,â€? the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a
>platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home,
>and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to
>remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very
>existence of these essential spaces.
>
>Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country
>to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during
>and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor,
>signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state
>dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of
>Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI
>programs that are not necessary for research contracts or
>accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order,
>according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the
>University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and
>eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.
>
>https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/14/oklahoma-ban-
>diversity-dei-program-colleges
Oklahoma is one fucked up state. Not as bad as Utah but close.