THE LEADER IN ADVANCING BEST PRACTICES
IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The War on DEI

Republican lawmakers have introduced 40 anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) bills targeting higher education institutions since late 2022. The laws take aim at essential institutional practices, including mandatory DEI training for employees, required diversity statements in hiring, DEI office programming, and curriculum and concepts related to systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege.

Momentum began in Texas and Florida, and conservative politicians nationwide quickly introduced copycat measures in their own states. Now, legislation banning DEI initiatives has been signed into law in Florida, Texas, North Dakota, Tennessee, and North Carolina. While some of these bills failed to pass, other policies have successfully limited DEI efforts, and faculty are reporting a chilling effect on teaching and recruitment.

Read more of INSIGHT’s coverage of the War on DEI.

Updates on Anti-DEI Measures

USC Dissolves DEI Office, Campus Pride Removes Colleges From ‘Best’ List

Anti-DEI efforts continue to impact higher education institutions across the country since the political trend began in late 2022.
Anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts continue to impact higher education and other establishments across the country since the political trend began in late 2022. Recently, the University of South Carolina (USC) announced the closing of its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The move...

UNT Dissolves DEI Office; South Carolina Bans Diversity Statements, Training

The consequences continue to be profound for higher education when it comes to anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) actions by state legislators. In recent news, the University of North Texas (UNT) announced it has dissolved its DEI office in response to Texas Senate Bill...

Defending DEI: University Leaders Share Lessons Learned and Strategies for Moving Forward

As public universities in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and North Dakota prepare for and see new anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) laws take effect, similar measures are proposed in other states that focus on closing DEI office operations, ending required diversity statements on student applications...

Colleges Are Beginning to Feel the Impact of Anti-DEI Measures

With Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas approving Senate Bill 17 on June 14, the state became the latest to reckon with extensive legislation that eliminates campus DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) offices. The final text of the bill prohibits universities from creating diversity offices,...

Anti-DEI Legislation Becomes Reality in Florida, North Dakota

With over 30 anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) bills proposed across the country threatening initiatives, support offices, and curriculum in higher education, the results are mixed: most received pushback from campus DEI advocates, some have been tabled or failed to garner enough support, and...