Bill to remove DEI departments from public universities heads to DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – A bill to eliminate funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from public universities and establish standards for core courses is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

The bill was carried by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, which passed 81-34 in the House. Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, carried the bill in the Senate which passed 27-12.

Andrade said the bill establishes certain minimal standards for core curriculum in five different sections.

General education core course options shall consist of a maximum of five courses within each of the subject areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.

According to the bill, general education core courses may not “distort” significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches “identity politics that violates Florida Educational Equity Act, or that are based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.”

The state university system is composed of 12 public universities. The Board of Governors is responsible to operate, regulate, control, and be fully responsible for the management of the whole state university system.

Andrade said the legislation removes financial support for diversity, equity, inclusion departments and administrators.

According to the bill text, the legislature intends that the Board of Governors shall “align the missions of each constituent university with the academic success of its students.”

The text said the board shall periodically review the mission of each constituent university and make updates or revisions as needed. Upon completion of a review of the mission, the board shall review existing academic programs for alignment with the mission.

The bill gives hiring authority to the president of each university, who may delegate authority to the executive team or individual deans.

The legislation prohibits a state university to require any statement, pledge, or oath other than to uphold general and federal law, the United States Constitution, and the State Constitution as a part of any admissions, hiring, employment, promotion, tenure, disciplinary, or evaluation process.

Additionally, the board of governors shall adopt a regulation requiring each tenured state university faculty member to undergo a comprehensive post-tenure review every five years.

“Senate Bill 266 (the companion measure of House Bill 999) will strengthen post-tenure review at state universities and align their missions with producing graduates who hold degrees valued in the global economy,” the Speaker of the House’s office said in a statement.

It also creates the Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education through the University of Central Florida, to be located in Volusia County. The purpose of the institute is to “respond to the ever-evolving insurance and risk management industry and the present and emerging needs of this state and its residents,” according to the bill text.

“All viewpoints should be welcome on our college campuses,” Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said in a statement.

“The Florida House is committed to promoting real diversity of thought and encouraging the highest ideals of higher education. I commend Representative Andrade for his diligent work to craft policy that will maintain Florida’s top ranking in the nation for higher education,” Renner said.

“Our students expect to learn in an environment that invites the free exchange of ideas. They deserve to be presented educational opportunities and open debate free from ideological indoctrination that will prepare them to be competitive in a global economy. I thank Speaker Renner for his leadership and for entrusting me with this important legislation,” Andrade said in a statement.

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who opposed the bill, released a statement on the bill.

“This is a destructive bill that targets diverse students like me and our ability to thrive in higher education institutions. It also suppresses academic freedom and inserts political orthodoxy into the classroom. It further politicizes higher education and reduces free speech by dictating specific content that can and cannot be discussed,” Eskamani wrote.

“This bill now goes to the Governor’s desk and I assume there will also be a lawsuit as it has concerning unconstitutional provisions,” Eskamani said.