The Utah Legislature on Friday joined the increasing number of lawmakers nationwide taking action to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Lawmakers passed a bill that would prohibit institutions of higher education, the public education system, and government employers from “taking certain actions and engaging in discriminatory practices,” including DEI programs.
It would ban “requiring an individual, before, during, or after admission or employment, to provide certain submissions or attend certain training that promotes differential treatment.”
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to sign the bill into law.
“I can assure you, after this legislative session, it will not be happening here in the state of Utah, these diversity statements that you have to sign to get hired,” Cox said during his monthly news conference in December.
Such initiatives are “awful, bordering on evil,” he added.
Under the Utah bill, universities and government would not be allowed to have offices dedicated to promoting diversity. They also could not require employees to submit statements of commitment to DEI.
“It ensures academic freedom on university campuses where all voices will be heard,” the bill’s Senate sponsor, Republican Keith Grover, said shortly before Thursday’s final 23-6 Senate vote in favor of the bill.
The chamber’s six Democrats voted against it. Among them was Sen. Luz Escamilla, who cited statistics showing much lower college enrollment rates for Native American, Hispanic and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students compared to white students.
“It’s bordering on evil, that we’re forcing people into a political framework before they can even apply for a job, by the state,” Cox said.
Proponents say DEI policies and programs say they combat inequality by encouraging multiculturalism and providing resources for people of different backgrounds.
The bill is not without its opponents, however. Senator Luz Escamilla highlighted disparities in college enrollment rates for underrepresented groups, asserting, “Our numbers don’t match our actual demographics. If Utah’s enrollment is not even close to where we need to be, we’re failing and this is not the solution.”
Senator Karen Kwan, D-Salt Lake City, the first Chinese American to serve in the Utah Legislature, has expressed concerns about the potential erasure of cultural and ethnic history, noting, “We must consider that potential harm and reevaluate.” Other Democratic senators made their opposition visible during legislative sessions, One Democratic senator adorning pins with the message “Utah Students Deserve More.”
Meanwhile, Republican supporters of the bill remained silent during the Senate’s final vote. At the same time, students and different groups protested against the bill, concerned about the potential weakening of crucial support systems for their academic success.
Conservative lawmakers contend that DEI initiatives amount to a form of indoctrination.
Recently, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents opted to reduce diversity efforts in exchange for state funding as part of a deal with GOP legislators.
Likewise, last month, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order cutting funding from DEI offices and programs in public universities.
Relevant articles:
– Utah Legislature passes bill to ban DEI programs at schools and in government
– Utah joins list of states to pass a bill banning diversity programs in government and on campus, The Associated Press, Fri, 26 Jan 2024 19:42:00 GMT
– Utah’s anti-DEI bill passes Senate in last major vote, paving way to overhaul diversity programs in education, government, Salt Lake Tribune, Thu, 25 Jan 2024 20:36:43 GMT
– ‘Untested’: Utah’s higher education commissioner questions anti-DEI bill approach, Salt Lake Tribune, Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:52:30 GMT