DeSantis curtails diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida state colleges
1 year, 7 months ago

DeSantis curtails diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida state colleges

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis signs legislation on Monday banning state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida’s public universities, at New College of Florida in Sarasota, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs, addressing a concern of conservatives ahead of the Republican governor’s expected presidential candidacy. The law blocks public universities from diverting state or federal funds toward programs or campus activities that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion or promote political or social activism. Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat, issued a statement after the signing that said the law continues DeSantis’ “overreach” into education.

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History of this topic

A conservative quest to limit diversity programs gains momentum in states
8 months ago

A conservative quest to limit diversity programs gains momentum in states

Associated Press  

A conservative quest to limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is gaining momentum in state capitals and college governing boards, with officials in about one-third of the states now taking some sort of action against it. Tennessee became the latest when the Republican governor this week signed legislation that would prohibit banks and other financial institutions from considering a customer’s …

Alabama bans DEI programmes and ‘divisive concepts’ in public colleges
9 months ago

Alabama bans DEI programmes and ‘divisive concepts’ in public colleges

Al Jazeera  

The bill, known as SB129, bans publicly-funded institutions from maintaining DEI offices or teaching what the bill calls ‘divisive concepts’ about race and identity. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in publicly-funded colleges, making the southern state one of the latest Republican-led states to enact broad measures against what they claim is …

Alabama governor signs bill barring diversity, equity and inclusion programs
9 months ago

Alabama governor signs bill barring diversity, equity and inclusion programs

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed legislation that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public schools, universities and state agencies and prohibit the teaching of “divisive concepts” including that someone should feel guilty because of their race or gender. “This regressive measure undermines the strides we’ve made in cultivating an inclusive society in Alabama …

Florida colleges fire staff amid anti-"woke" crusade. Expert warns "this tactic will backfire"
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Florida colleges fire staff amid anti-"woke" crusade. Expert warns "this tactic will backfire"

Salon  

Diversity, equity and inclusion staff at the University of Florida became the latest victims of the right-wing war on “woke” after being fired last week under a newly approved state rule stripping funding from equity initiatives at public universities. "This is a long game that is a political effort to diminish the advances that have been achieved through affirmative action …

Unravelling the DEI controversies as Florida University axes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Unravelling the DEI controversies as Florida University axes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices

Hindustan Times  

The University of Florida has terminated 13 full-time diversity, equity, and inclusion posts as well as 15 administrative faculty appointments. Florida University has become the latest example of growing opposition to DEI programs, which have enraged prominent figures such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, and Florida Gov. Here is what memo says "To comply with …

U of Florida axes diversity and inclusion office under GOP-led law aimed at ridding similar programs
9 months, 3 weeks ago

U of Florida axes diversity and inclusion office under GOP-led law aimed at ridding similar programs

Associated Press  

The University of Florida is eliminating its chief diversity officer position, scrapping the program’s staff jobs and halting any contracts involving the subject because of a new law passed last year that was pushed by Republican Gov. Three senior UF officials said in the memo that despite the elimination of the diversity, equity and inclusion or DEI program, the school …

Utah is the latest state to ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus and in government
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Utah is the latest state to ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus and in government

Associated Press  

Utah’s governor signed a bill into law Tuesday that makes the state the latest to prohibit diversity training, hiring and inclusion programs at universities and in state government. Headed into the final year of his first term, Cox has shifted to the right on “diversity, equity and inclusion.” After vetoing a ban on transgender students playing in girls sports in …

Florida board bans use of state, federal dollars for DEI programs at state universities
11 months ago

Florida board bans use of state, federal dollars for DEI programs at state universities

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The board that oversees Florida’s 12 public universities voted Wednesday to ban using state or federal dollars for diversity programs or activities, aligning with a law signed last spring by Republican Gov. The new law bans the use of taxpayer money to fund programs that promote “differential or preferential treatment of individuals, or classifies such individuals on …

Florida’s university system under assault during DeSantis tenure, report by professors’ group says
1 year ago

Florida’s university system under assault during DeSantis tenure, report by professors’ group says

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Academic freedom and independent governance have been under political and ideological assault in Florida’s university system during the tenure of Florida Gov. The threat to Florida’s higher education system accelerated this year with the takeover of New College of Florida in Sarasota by partisan DeSantis supporters, according to the report from an AAUP committee. Additionally, the appointments …

Newsom and DeSantis both promote freedom in education. But their focus is wildly different
1 year ago

Newsom and DeSantis both promote freedom in education. But their focus is wildly different

LA Times  

When it comes to education, the divide between the governors of California and Florida turns on different visions of freedom in their state’s schools. “If there’s a central theme to the DeSantis regime it’s ‘parent empowerment,’” said Bruce Baker, professor in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami. Even before Newsom entered office, California law …

Black lawmakers in Texas criticize bill that seeks to ban DEI offices in higher education
1 year, 7 months ago

Black lawmakers in Texas criticize bill that seeks to ban DEI offices in higher education

CNN  

CNN — The Texas House passed a bill Monday aimed at banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public colleges and universities, a move that Black leaders say will halt progress and stifle future research funding. Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, a Democrat representing San Antonio and vice chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, said the legislation would take away resources …

Opinion: DeSantis’ defunding of diversity programs threatens college life as we know it
1 year, 7 months ago

Opinion: DeSantis’ defunding of diversity programs threatens college life as we know it

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday that promises to defund diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public colleges throughout the state. A bill like this new one in Florida is particularly challenging for college leaders because what it means by “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs lacks meaningful definition. The DeSantis bill and other attacks like it come at a time …

Florida College Students Rebuke Ron DeSantis By Hosting Their Own Graduation
1 year, 7 months ago

Florida College Students Rebuke Ron DeSantis By Hosting Their Own Graduation

Huff Post  

A student makes her way past the sign at New College of Florida, Jan. 20, 2023, in Sarasota, Florida. DeSantis has stoked fury among New College students and national voters alike by leveraging a culture war on so-called “wokeness” against schools and corporations across the state. According to The New York Times, DeSantis said New College of Florida has had …

DeSantis curtails diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida state colleges
1 year, 7 months ago

DeSantis curtails diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida state colleges

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs, addressing a concern of conservatives ahead of the Republican governor’s expected presidential candidacy. The law blocks public universities from diverting state or federal funds toward programs or campus activities that advocate for diversity, equity and …

DeSantis bans funding for Florida college diversity programmes
1 year, 7 months ago

DeSantis bans funding for Florida college diversity programmes

Al Jazeera  

Ron DeSantis, Florida governor and likely US presidential candidate, says programmes aim to impose an ‘ideological agenda’. Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to block federal and state funding to programmes that aim to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion at public universities, boosting a conservative push against such initiatives. DeSantis approved the measure on Monday, decrying DEI …

DeSantis signs bill to defund DEI programs at Florida public colleges
1 year, 7 months ago

DeSantis signs bill to defund DEI programs at Florida public colleges

CNN  

CNN — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed legislation to defund diversity, equity and inclusion programs at all state universities, which he called a “distraction from the core mission.” “This is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination, and that has no place in our public institutions,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Sarasota. “There’s nothing …

Florida Republicans pass school bills on pronouns, diversity
1 year, 7 months ago

Florida Republicans pass school bills on pronouns, diversity

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Republicans on Wednesday approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s sex, building on top priorities of Republican Gov. The state’s Legislative session, scheduled to end this week, has been dominated by divisive cultural issues, with Republican allies of DeSantis …

Florida Republicans pass school bills on pronouns and diversity
1 year, 7 months ago

Florida Republicans pass school bills on pronouns and diversity

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis, arriving in London last month, is expected to sign into law two proposals that would ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s sex. Florida Republicans on Wednesday approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to …

Trump vows to go after ‘radical Left’ colleges, echoing DeSantis approach
1 year, 7 months ago

Trump vows to go after ‘radical Left’ colleges, echoing DeSantis approach

Politico  

Trump’s plan: Trump said he would “fire” the existing accrediting organizations that oversee colleges and universities and replace them with new accreditors who would impose a range of new standards on colleges. Colleges would also be required to offer options for “accelerated and low-cost degrees” and provide “meaningful job placement and career services.” And Trump would also force colleges to …

DeSantis administration moves to extend prohibition on teaching sexual orientation and gender identity to all grades
1 year, 9 months ago

DeSantis administration moves to extend prohibition on teaching sexual orientation and gender identity to all grades

CNN  

CNN — The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis this month quietly proposed extending Florida’s controversial prohibition on classroom instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity to all grades. DeSantis last year signed into law a measure that banned such instruction through fourth grade, arguing at the time that young children should not be exposed to concepts like gender identity. …

New College conservative board votes to abolish DEI office
1 year, 9 months ago

New College conservative board votes to abolish DEI office

Associated Press  

SARASOTA, Fla. — Trustees picked by Republican Gov. “This is not a very impressive DEI bureaucracy, is what I’m seeing,” said student body president Grace Keenan, who is a trustee and was not appointed by DeSantis. We don’t discriminate against anyone here.” Although they are relatively small programs, some of the seven new trustees at the historically progressive college said …

Essential Politics: Ron DeSantis versus the College Board
1 year, 10 months ago

Essential Politics: Ron DeSantis versus the College Board

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis’ administration has blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African-American studies from being taught in high schools. Ron DeSantis, a potential candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is threatening to cut his state’s ties with the College Board, the organization that develops Advanced Placement classes for college-bound high school students. Next, DeSantis and Florida conservatives turned their …

Opinion: Three little letters that have Florida’s Ron DeSantis on the attack
1 year, 10 months ago

Opinion: Three little letters that have Florida’s Ron DeSantis on the attack

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Khalil Gibran Muhammad is the Ford Foundation professor of history, race and public policy at Harvard Kennedy School and director of the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project, or IARA. Khalil Gibran Muhammad Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project at Harvard Kennedy School Erica Licht Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project at Harvard Kennedy School Now DeSantis is going a step …

Ron DeSantis wants to take over a small liberal arts college. Students are fighting back
1 year, 10 months ago

Ron DeSantis wants to take over a small liberal arts college. Students are fighting back

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis last month announced the appointment of six conservatives to the board of trustees at the New College of Florida, a small campus overlooking Sarasota Bay. Outside an auditorium, a few protesters held up signs declaring: “NO HOSTILE TAKEOVER!” The focus of the controversy was Christopher Rufo, the most prominent of six conservatives recently named trustees at New College …

DeSantis pushes ban on diversity programs in state colleges
1 year, 10 months ago

DeSantis pushes ban on diversity programs in state colleges

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced plans to block state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, and critical race theory in his latest step onto the front lines of the nation’s culture wars. “I think people want to see true academics and they want to get rid of some of the political window …

Florida governor backs ban on diversity lessons in state colleges
1 year, 10 months ago

Florida governor backs ban on diversity lessons in state colleges

Al Jazeera  

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida in the southeast United States, has announced plans to block state colleges from having programmes on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory. DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has heavily criticised critical race theory, which examines systemic racism, along with programmes about diversity, equity and inclusion, commonly known as …

DeSantis proposes banning diversity and inclusion initiatives at Florida universities
1 year, 10 months ago

DeSantis proposes banning diversity and inclusion initiatives at Florida universities

CNN  

CNN — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he intends to ban state universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in hopes that they will “wither on the vine” without funding. In a press release about the announced legislation, the governor’s office called diversity, equity and inclusion programs “discriminatory” and vowed to prohibit universities from funding …

Florida teachers move to block DeSantis questions on CRT
1 year, 11 months ago

Florida teachers move to block DeSantis questions on CRT

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A group of Florida college professors on Wednesday asked a federal judge to block Gov. Ron DeSantis from requesting spending data on diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory programs in state universities. The Republican governor in late December requested that state colleges submit spending data and other information on programs related to diversity, equity and …

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill to limit discussion of race
2 years, 8 months ago

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill to limit discussion of race

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law new guidelines Friday involving race-based discussions in businesses and schools as part of his campaign against critical race theory, which he called “pernicious” ideology. “CRT is not taught in K-12 education here in our public schools.” DeSantis’ focus on culture war issues involving race, gender and the coronavirus have made …

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