- The Florida Board of Governors has voted to prohibit state funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses, following a similar move by the Florida Board of Education.
- Governor Ron DeSantis previously signed a bill restricting the use of state or federal funds for DEI programs, and the new regulation provides guidance on what constitutes advocacy of DEI.
- DEI initiatives aim to create equitable workplaces and schools for underrepresented communities and have been the subject of legislative efforts by Governor DeSantis, including the blocked Stop the W.O.K.E. Act. The fate of his legislation will be determined in an upcoming trial.
Additional Coverage:
- Florida Board of Governors passes measure to expand DEI restrictions (abcnews.go.com)
The Florida Board of Governors has voted to prohibit the use of state funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses. The regulation applies to all public universities in the state and disallows the use of state or federal funds for programs or activities that promote DEI or engage in political or social activism. This decision follows a similar move by the Florida Board of Education last week to limit public funding for DEI programs in public colleges. The regulation defines DEI as any program, activity, or policy that classifies individuals based on race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes preferential treatment based on these classifications.
Governor Ron DeSantis previously signed a bill prohibiting universities from using state or federal funds for programs or activities regardless of their source. The new regulation provides guidance on what constitutes advocacy of DEI and will require institutions to designate an agent responsible for ensuring compliance with the prohibited expenditure provisions.
DEI initiatives are rooted in anti-discrimination legislation from the 1960s, which aimed to address labor issues related to protected classes. These initiatives seek to create equitable workplaces and schools for underrepresented communities. Governor DeSantis has been at the forefront of efforts affecting DEI and education on race in Florida. In 2021, he introduced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (W.O.K.E.) Act, which aimed to restrict race-related curriculum in colleges and universities. However, the bill was blocked by a federal judge in November 2022. Nevertheless, DeSantis has requested data from state universities on courses and programs that include “diversity, equity, and inclusion” and “critical race theory.” The fate of his legislation will be determined in an upcoming bench trial in October.
Read More About This Story:
- Florida Board of Governors passes measure to expand DEI restrictions (abcnews.go.com)