Gov Ron DeSantis hits DEI, Critical Race Theory initiatives in Florida HEIs

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has opposed “divisive concepts” such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and the Critical Race Theory (CRT) and said they “force exclusion and division” in higher education. 

At a roundtable discussion held on March 13, 2023, DeSantis said such concepts do not contribute to knowledge and there shouldn’t be any funding from Florida taxes toward them. 

“In Florida, we are not going to back down to the woke mob, and we will expose the scams they are trying to push onto students across the country,” said DeSantis in a statement, dubbing it a “political indoctrination.” 

The governor proposed legislation to bar state colleges and universities from funding DEI activities as well as prohibit general education courses using instruction from CRT, urging the establishment of new standards and adoption procedures for such courses.

DeSantis said that Florida universities self-reported spending $34 million on DEI initiatives earlier this year, although he believes the amount to be significantly higher and that it may have been spent more effectively.

The proposed legislation, HB 999, once passed will allow a professor’s tenure to be called into review at any time and will ban spending on DEI.

Critics argue that DEI initiatives are meant to ensure equal access to all students and are not anti-American, but rather a way to address systemic issues of inequality and injustice.Others suggest that limiting DEI initiatives and CRT could have a negative impact on Florida’s ability to attract international students and faculty who are looking for inclusive and diverse academic environments.