Utah bans DEI programs, joining other states
The news
Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a sweeping bill that scaled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the state's educational institutions and government offices — the latest state to take action amid the broader national backlash against such efforts.
The law bans any program, agency or initiative that has “diversity, equity and inclusion” in its name or “claims that meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist.” It also requires that student support services be open to all students, banning efforts that target students of certain races or genders.
The background: The law is part of a broader national crackdown on diversity efforts.
Since the beginning of 2023, at least 59 bills have been introduced in more than two dozen states and Congress that would roll back diversity efforts at colleges, such as hiring certifications and mandatory training. according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Eight of them have become law, including in North Dakota, Texas and North Carolina.
A Texas law that took effect in January bans DEI offices, diversity hiring certifications and diversity training of faculty and staff. The University of Texas at Austin Closed its Multicultural Engagement Center last month because of the law. And an official said the university would no longer fund cultural events such as graduations aimed at Black, Latino and Asian students. the University of Texas in Austin's student newspaper.
The law in North Dakota, which went into effect in August, bans mandatory diversity training at the state's public colleges. It also prohibits applicants for appointment, tenure or promotion from “endorsing or opposing any specific ideology or political position.” A law in Tennessee bars requiring public university employees to participate in mandatory implicit bias training.
Looking deeper: This move signals a political shift in Utah.
Despite leading a deeply conservative state, Governor Cox had built his brand as a moderate. His embrace of the DEI bill marked a somewhat surprising shift, says Michael Lyons, a professor of political science at Utah State University. (Mr. Cox also signed a separate bill on Tuesday that would require transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond to their sex at birth.)
In a statement, Mr Cox described the law, which comes into force in July, as a “balanced solution”.
“I am grateful the Legislature did not follow the example of other states that simply eliminated DEI funding without an alternative path for students who may be struggling,” he said. “Instead, this funding will be repurposed to help all Utah students succeed, regardless of background.”
Mr. Cox had previously said that some diversity efforts on campus had “become very political” and that they were “doing more to divide us than to bring us together.” according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
What now? Campuses must respond to the changes now.
Universities are trying to figure out what the bill means for their campuses. For example, Utah State University has a “Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” The bill, it seems, would at least require a name change.
On its website, the university acknowledged that “structural changes” could occur in the division, but added: “the work of creating access, opportunity and connection has always been shared by all USU employees and will continue.”
It didn't seem like hiring practices would change in the state of Utah. The university noted that it had already eliminated the use of diversity statements last spring and no longer allows them.