On 30 Dec 2023, Trump <patriot1@protonmail.com> posted some
news:umpncp$1c1ic$11@dont-email.me:

> DEI is an Obama construct. Obama is the worst racist in modern
> history.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, in higher education was
deceptively sold as a set of policies designed to promote "the fair
treatment and full participation of all people," particularly groups
that "have historically been underrepresented." But DEI offices have
proved to be epicenters of division and ideological conformity, stirring
hostilities and imposing an intolerant monoculture.

Fortunately, 2023 saw more than a dozen states start to take action
against the DEI hydra, with six achieving concrete steps that other
states should follow.

In Florida, colleges and universities are no longer allowed to allocate
any money to DEI programs. Institutions across the state have, in
consequence, eliminated DEI jobs, such as chief diversity officers. This
is greatly to the good of real education and social cohesion. These
officers are often in charge of college "bias response teams" that
function as "woke" police on campuses. A Supreme Court case is set to
shut many of these programs down, but states can take proactive steps
now to solve the problem faster.

Texas passed its law curbing excesses this year, eliminating all DEI
office training for staff and, more importantly, eliminating diversity
statements in hiring. Universities nationwide use mandatory diversity
statements to enforce ideological conformity in disciplines as varied as
physics, history, and psychology. Junking these loyalty oaths is a key
step to diversifying thought on campuses.

In Iowa, the board of regents, which governs state institutions of
higher education, eliminated all "college, department, or unit-level DEI
positions" not necessary for compliance or accreditation. The board also
required all university programs to be "broadly available to all
students and/or employees," regardless of race.

Georgia barred its 26 state colleges from requiring job applicants to
fill out diversity loyalty oaths and took the further step of banning
all DEI training for existing staff. Schools can still ask prospective
employees about "their experience supporting different student
populations," but they can't make a commitment to diversity a
requirement for any position.

Wisconsin Republicans agreed to a compromise with the state's Democratic
governor that traded pay raises for university staff in exchange for
limitations on DEI programs. The Republican-controlled legislature
secured a freeze on all DEI hiring and the elimination of 1 in 3
existing DEI staff. It's not as far as other states were able to go, but
it was a step in the right direction.

Finally, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) in Oklahoma signed an executive order
that, like Iowa, eliminated DEI programs and staff not needed for
compliance or accreditation. Stitt's order also banned compulsory
diversity statements for new hires.

There is a limit to what states can accomplish. Democratic governors and
legislators will not manage what is possible in states fully controlled
by Republicans, such as Florida and Texas.

But as private companies also turn away from DEI bureaucracies, there is
clear bipartisan momentum toward a solid response to DEI excesses.
Ending mandated diversity statements for higher education hires is an
easy first step all states should take. Eliminating DEI training for
existing staff is another commonsense move. Nobody likes to be lectured,
and all evidence shows these trainings don't work.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/dei-is-on-the-run