The historic South Caroliniana Library on the Horseshoe of the Univerisity of South Carolina, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 in Columbia, S.C.(File/Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)
COLUMBIA — Some South Carolina college professors say legislative attempts to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs are having a chilling effect on higher education in the state, according to responses to a survey of university faculty across the South.
“The anti-DEI wave is impeding what we teach mostly because of its looming threat and the unknown of what will be flagged as problematic or (eventually) illegal,” wrote a Hispanic, female tenured professor who has taught at one of the state’s public universities for more than five years.
Survey participation was small in South Carolina, and respondents did not identify where they work, so it’s impossible to tell whether the opinions are widespread at any particular campus. Also, some professors indicated they prefer being in South Carolina than other states.