Texas lawmakers have moved to close all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at publicly funded universities in the state.
legislators in both houses approved the final version of Senate Bill 17 on Sunday and now heads to Governor Greg Abbott (R) to be signed.
If passed, SB 17 would require Texas public universities to dismantle their DEI offices, programs and training within the next six months. The bill also prohibits institutions from requiring any DEI training as a condition of employment or college admission, and mandates that all hiring practices be “color-blind and sex-neutral.”
The legislation would not affect course instruction, faculty research, student organizations, guest speakers, data collection, or admissions.
DEI offices have become a fixture on college campuses in recent years. With the goal of supporting students of diverse backgrounds, DEI departments often help recruit faculty and coordinate tutoring, tutoring, and other programs for underrepresented students. Critics say the shows fuel racial divide and unfairly prioritize social justice over merit and achievement.
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Before Texas lawmakers voted Sunday, Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) warned his colleagues: “Don’t be on the wrong side of history.”
“Don’t let Texas be the next state to get a travel warning,” he continued, referring to the NAACP recent travel warning to Florida. “Don’t let the politics of extremism get in the way of the progress we’ve made over the years.”
Educators opposed the bill in a statement to the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors on Saturday.
The organization said it was “deeply disappointed by the conference committee’s report,” adding that “the bill sends a clear message to students, faculty and staff that our state is not committed to welcoming students of all origins and to build a public system of higher education”. that is truly inclusive and supportive for all”.
The educator group also said it is also concerned that the legislation could put state universities at risk of losing federal and private grants, which often require applicants to show that they are making efforts toward diversity and inclusion.
Florida was the first to ban universities to use state or federal funds in DEI in early May.
Similar legislation has been proposed in more than a dozen other states, according to a Associated Press Analysis found using Plural invoice tracking software.
