Speaker Renner Requests Info on Politicized Diversity and Equity Programs at State Universities

Published Jan. 12, 2023, 7:29 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 12, 2023

Paul Renner

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announced Thursday he requested Florida’s state universities and colleges provide documentation on the prevalence of politicized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs.

The request was delivered to the President’s office of each respective Florida College System and State University System institution.

Renner said he wants lawmakers to establish “proper guardrails” to make sure students have an education without promoting an “ideological agenda under the guise of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

“The Florida House of Representatives has a responsibility to understand how state resources are being allocated across state universities and colleges,” Renner said.

“I commend Governor DeSantis, Chancellor Rodrigues, and Commissioner Diaz for working to expose the potential misapplication of state funds, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to establish proper guardrails that ensure these institutions provide our students with an inclusive, well-rounded education that prepares them for the future without promoting an aggressively ideological agenda under the guise of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis had previously requested information from the Department of Education and the State University System about how state colleges and universities spend state money on programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion, and critical race theory. The Governor’s Office sent the letter requesting the information January 4th.

“As the Executive Office of the Governor prepares policy and budget proposals ahead of the 2023 Legislative Session, it is important that we have a full understanding of the operational expenses of state institutions,” the governor’s letter said.

Renner said his request extends beyond the query submitted by Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and Chancellor of the State University System Ray Rodrigues on behalf of DeSantis.

Renner’s request included requests about how the systems use “political considerations in the development of curriculum, hiring and promotion of faculty and other inappropriate activities.”

I commend the great work of the Board of Governors in bringing our universities to a consistent number one ranking among the states as well as our state colleges for providing needed workforce skills. We will maintain our top rankings by staying focused on the knowledge, skills and research that higher education should provide.  However, we compromise higher education if we follow other states that allow DEI staff to act as political commissars over campus life.  We intend to end this improper influence and re-focus on pathways to success for our graduates.

House Speaker Paul Renner

The Speaker released letters to the presidents of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and Broward College.

The requests include information about current and other DEI employees with their job description and salary. The letters ask for the institutions to identify specific funding sources for those employees.

It requests communication to and from a DEI Faculty Committee regarding curriculum content or development.

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