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Many SEC schools have closed theirs DEI offices in recent years.
The University of Texaswhich plays in the SEC championship game against Georgia on Saturday, is in a state that has a law in place to ban DEI. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the law in January, closing DEI offices at all state universities.
There is now almost no sign of any diversity-related offices or initiatives at the University of Texas. The university even released a statement after the law was passed, ensuring compliance.
“The University has taken the necessary steps to achieve compliance with the law and UT System policy. Vigilant ongoing efforts are necessary to ensure the University’s continued compliance,” statement to read.
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Texas’ opponent, Georgia, is one of the many universities in the conference that no longer has a DEI office, but something close to it.
Last August, the University System of Georgia (USG) voted to ban the use of DEI employment statements, and the state’s colleges and universities were also told to stop using DEI terminology in teaching training standards. Then, last November, the USG proposed to take things further with an even stricter review of the policy.
Now, “ideological tests, affirmations and oaths, including statements of diversity,” will be banned in admissions processes and decisions, according to the latest revision of the policy.
The “basis and determining factor” for employment is now “that the individual possesses the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered.”
But the university boasts of an office called the “Office of Inclusive Excellence.” One of the goals of this office is to “Increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in undergraduate and graduate studies.”
That office in the university’s athletic department is represented by Associate Athletic Director for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Engagement Dr. Courtney Gay. She previous title He was the assistant athletic director for diversity, equity and inclusion.
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The University of Arkansas has a similar situation. Arkansas closed its DEI offices in April 2023. But the university’s athletic department has maintained diversity initiatives through its student-athlete-coach advocacy group “Hogs United.” According to the group’s website, it focuses on the areas of recruitment and retention.
“Areas of focus include recruiting and retaining individuals from marginalized or underserved groups, sending athletics messages on diversity and inclusion, working collaboratively with the HR manager and Title IX officer, and monitoring and supporting relevant research on diversity and inclusion within athletics”, it is stated on site.
Arkansas State is one of several SEC schools that could face further DEI restrictions in the coming years. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro and co-chairman of the Arkansas Legislature’s higher education subcommittee, last August requested that the DEI study be completed by the end of 2024 with the intention of introducing legislation during the 2025 legislative session. The Arkansas Advocate.
Louisiana State University is one of many schools that removed all DEI language from its university websites and mission statements earlier this year. However, the athletic department has a committee called the Council on Athletic Culture and Engagement.
One of the council’s goals is to “bring team members together to foster an atmosphere that seeks and nurtures diverse perspectives while promoting equality and inclusion.”
DEI as a concept came under mass scrutiny in 2024, as offices dedicated to it in the public and private sectors were closed to cut costs.
Kimberly Cayley, editor-in-chief at CriticalRace.org, which recently published a report focused on the long-term impact of DEI in SEC schools, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that she has received countless complaints from parents at these schools about how DEI initiatives have affected their families.
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“We’ve seen a huge increase in this ideology being pushed all over the place,” Kali said. “In teams and athletic events, I can’t imagine that this fosters camaraderie.”
Universities aren’t the only institutions pulling back on DEI initiatives, and during his campaign, President-elect Trump promised to eliminate DEI programs at federal agencies. In 2020, then-President Trump issued an executive order banning “unbundled” training for federal contractors. And the House Oversight Committee held a hearing last month on repealing the DEI policy.
Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris administration has encouraged DEI initiatives in several sectors the federal government. In 2021, President Biden expanded an executive order directing agencies to assess and “remove barriers” to equal opportunity through the DEI policy. Another executive order signed that year was the government’s initiative to incorporate DEI principles into federal employment.
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