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Diving overview:
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill Tuesday banning public universities from funding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, continuing a national push by conservatives to eliminate such programs from higher education.
- The bill also prohibits Alabama public universities, K-12 schools and state agencies from requiring students or employees to take training, orientation or curriculum that promotes “divisive concepts.”
- The bill's list of divisive concepts includes the idea that people of any race, gender or religion are inherently privileged, or that anyone should recognize complicity based on those characteristics. This measure will take effect from October 1.
Dive Insights:
that much Alabama DEI Bill Similar to language found in laws passed Florida and TexasLegislation is also under consideration. kentucky and ohio.
But PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, said Alabama's proposal was much worse.
“The result will be a campus environment devoid of intellectual freedom and a state law so harsh that Florida will have to make money.” the organization said February after the bill was introduced.
SB 129 would not prevent student or employee organizations from hosting DEI events unless state funds are used. But ahead of the governor's signature, PEN America said the bill would still disrupt programming for students.
“The bill would prohibit DEI offices and programs that determine participation based on identity groups, which could include information sessions for international students or recognition of a university’s Black Student Union,” PEN America said. “If public universities attempt to avoid the serious measures of this bill by using federal or private funds, they will be stymied by provisions prohibiting them from funding such activities.”
Public universities will still be allowed to divide housing, athletics and social opportunities by gender under the new law. However, it is prohibited to use a bathroom different from the gender assigned at birth.
This bill does not replace any federal law or certification standards. Additionally, it does not change previously established state law that would require Alabama boards and commissions to embrace and reflect the diversity of the state.
Since the bill was introduced in February, students and free speech advocates have pushed back on its provisions.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama said the bill uses: broad, vague language and intend to callous campus discourse.
“This is not only a form of classroom censorship, but an anti-truth bill that curtails education about systemic inequality, racial violence, and historic efforts to win civil rights and freedoms for marginalized communities throughout our nation’s history.” said.
In a system-wide email Tuesday, University of Alabama System presidents and college presidents said they are committed to ensuring campuses maintain welcoming environments and foster academic freedom and freedom of expression.
“In the coming months, university leadership and legal counsel will evaluate the final language of the bill to determine what actions are needed to ensure that we can continue to carry out our multifaceted mission while complying with applicable state and federal laws,” they wrote to faculty. staff and students.
The bill allows for several exceptions to the ban, including for research, academic freedom and accreditation standards, they said.
In 2022, the state's public four-year colleges and universities reported spending just over $16 million. About DEI training, staffing, and programming According to AL.com. It's not yet clear whether employees will be laid off if this bill passes.