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- Florida Governor ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at state colleges and universities.
- The bill affects the 12 institutions within the State University System of Florida, which enrolls over 430,000 students, according to data from the Florida Board of Governors.
- "This legislation is a direct attack on academic freedom and the principles of inclusivity," said Dr.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Bill Restricting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs in Higher Education
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Florida Governor ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at state colleges and universities. The bill, SB 4, prohibits state funding for DEI initiatives and alters hiring practices, impacting how institutions address issues of race, ethnicity, and gender.
Key Provisions of SB 4
- Funding Prohibition: The bill explicitly prohibits state funds from being used to support DEI offices, programs, or activities.
- Curriculum Restrictions: Universities are barred from offering courses or activities that promote a particular ideology or political viewpoint, according to the bill’s text.
- Hiring Practices: The legislation directs universities to focus on candidates’ qualifications and merit rather than diversity considerations when hiring faculty.
- Viewpoint Discrimination: SB 4 states that institutions “must not subject any student or employee to harassment, discrimination, or adverse action based on their political beliefs.”
Impact on Florida’s State University System
The bill affects the 12 institutions within the State University System of Florida, which enrolls over 430,000 students, according to data from the Florida Board of Governors. The University of Florida,the state’s flagship university,reported $6.3 million in expenses related to DEI initiatives in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, as detailed in a publicly available budget report. Florida State University allocated $3.8 million to DEI programs during the same period, according to it’s financial statements.
Reactions to the Bill
“This legislation is a direct attack on academic freedom and the principles of inclusivity,” said Dr. Farah Ahmad, president of the Florida Education Association, in a press release issued Monday. “It will stifle intellectual discourse and harm our students.”
Governor DeSantis defended the bill during a press conference in Jacksonville, stating, “We are restoring Florida’s universities to their core mission of academic excellence and ensuring that students are judged on their merits, not on their identity.” He cited a 2023 survey by the Foundation for Individual rights and Expression which found that 62% of students said they felt pressured to self-censor their views on campus.
Legal Challenges
Civil rights groups have signaled their intent to challenge the law in court. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida released a statement saying they are “evaluating all legal options” to fight the bill, arguing it violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. similar DEI bans in other states, such as Texas, have faced legal challenges.
The full text of SB 4 is available on the Florida Legislature’s website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2024/SB4