Oklahoma governor signs order effectively banning diversity programs at public colleges

[Obama Ruined America]

On Wednesday Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, signed an executive
order in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
programs at agencies and public colleges and universities across the
state.

The order prohibits them from using state funds, property or
resources towards DEI initiatives and orders them to dismiss “non-
critical personnel”. It is effective immediately, but institutions
are expected to comply no later than 31 May 2024.

The 25 public colleges and universities in the state also have to
provide reports that detail the expenditure of their former DEI
initiatives and job positions. Stitt said he is “implementing
greater protections for Oklahomans and their tax dollars”. But
according to local news outlet KFOR, only “around $10.2m was spent
on DEI programs in the past decade. It accounted for three-tenths of
one percent of all higher education spending.”

The governor also said that Oklahoma should focus on supporting
low-income and first-generation students instead of supporting
students based on their race. However, DEI programs typically
provide support not only for students from marginalized communities,
but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation
students, single parents and students with disabilities.


The University of Oklahoma’s Black emergency response team, a
student organization focused on “activism, advocacy, and social
justice“ released a statement saying that the executive order raises
concerns.

“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and
entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space
for minority and marginalized communities on higher education
campuses,” the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a
platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home,
and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to
remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very
existence of these essential spaces.

Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country
to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during
and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor,
signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state
dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of
Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI
programs that are not necessary for research contracts or
accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order,
according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the
University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and
eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/14/oklahoma-ban-
diversity-dei-program-colleges

[Ivana Banger]

On Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:57:10 -0500, Obama Ruined America
<rema...@domain.invalid> wrote:

>On Wednesday Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, signed an executive
>order in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
>programs at agencies and public colleges and universities across the
>state.
>
>The order prohibits them from using state funds, property or
>resources towards DEI initiatives and orders them to dismiss “non-

>critical personnel�€?. It is effective immediately, but institutions

>are expected to comply no later than 31 May 2024.
>
>The 25 public colleges and universities in the state also have to
>provide reports that detail the expenditure of their former DEI
>initiatives and job positions. Stitt said he is “implementing

>greater protections for Oklahomans and their tax dollars�€?. But

>according to local news outlet KFOR, only “around $10.2m was spent
>on DEI programs in the past decade. It accounted for three-tenths of

>one percent of all higher education spending.�€?

>
>The governor also said that Oklahoma should focus on supporting
>low-income and first-generation students instead of supporting
>students based on their race. However, DEI programs typically
>provide support not only for students from marginalized communities,
>but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation
>students, single parents and students with disabilities.
>
>
>The University of Oklahoma’s Black emergency response team, a
>student organization focused on “activism, advocacy, and social
>justice“ released a statement saying that the executive order raises
>concerns.
>
>“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and
>entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space
>for minority and marginalized communities on higher education

>campuses,�€? the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a

>platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home,
>and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to
>remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very
>existence of these essential spaces.
>
>Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country
>to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during
>and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor,
>signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state
>dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of
>Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI
>programs that are not necessary for research contracts or
>accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order,
>according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the
>University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and
>eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.
>
>https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/14/oklahoma-ban-
>diversity-dei-program-colleges

Oklahoma is one fucked up state. Not as bad as Utah but close.