3.27.24 – Texas Scorecard
“Senate Committee To Oversee Universities’ Implementation of DEI Ban”
By Will Biagini
[COMMENTS FROM DONNA GARNER: I love it when a key piece of legislation is passed but then those who helped to get it passed make sure later on that the bill is enforced correctly and the various parties are held accountable.
That is exactly what Sen. Creighton and the Senate Education Committee are doing with SB 17! Good for them!
For those in the public who are still struggling to understand CRT (Critical Race Theory) and DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion), please look at the list of articles that I posted at the bottom.
After doing a simple SEARCH on my website -- DonnaGarner.org -- the list at the bottom of this page contains the articles that I found.
These two leftist concepts (CRT and DEI) are destroying the entire bedrock of our society, and I am very thankful that the majority of the Texas Legislature came together to pass and enforce SB 17. ]
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Excerpts from this article:
Senate Committee to Oversee Universities’ Implementation of DEI Ban - Texas Scorecard
…The chair of the Senate’s Education Committee [TX Sen. Brandon Creighton] has outlined the process of how higher education institutions are to expel Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in letters to the chancellors of Texas’ state-funded universities.
The letters announced an upcoming oversight hearing to review the implementation process of Senate Bill 17—which prohibits institutions of higher education from establishing a DEI office, using DEI criteria in their hiring practices, or requiring employees or prospective employees to attend DEI training.
SB 17 was signed into law in June 2023 and took effect on January 1 of this year [2024].
Now, the University of North Texas System, the Texas A&M University System, the University of Texas System, the University of Houston System, the Texas Tech University System, and the Texas State University System are all being checked for compliance.
“The Texas State Legislature, along with the people of Texas, anticipate that each institution will undertake sincere efforts to align with the bill’s provisions, ensuring a merit-based environment where every student, faculty, and staff member can strive for and achieve personal excellence,” the letter reads.
The Senate Committee on Education is planning a hearing for May [2024] where system administrators will present their progress on DEI elimination.
The letter lists five questions that available representatives of each system will be requested to address at the upcoming hearing.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton’s (R-Conroe) questions include:
1. How has your institution ensured that there are no DEI offices or officers on campus or no individual or organization performing the duties of a DEI office or officer?
2. How has your institution ensured that DEI training is not required for students, staff, and faculty?
3. How has your institution acted to comply with the provision which prohibits providing preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to an applicant for employment?
4. Two other questions target the abolishing of required diversity statements in the hiring process and how institutions plan to prepare for the required DEI oversight audit.
“When Texas taxpayer dollars are used to fund offices, departments, or employee positions dedicated to promoting DEI initiatives, rather than basing decisions on merit, that is not only inappropriate, it is inconsistent with state law,” said Creighton in a press release.
“Now that SB 17 is law, I’m confident that Texas public colleges and universities can return to their core mission of innovation and education— and if they do not, the Texas Senate will be resolute in enforcement of this legislation.”
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MORE INFORMATION
Senate Author: Creighton et al.
House Sponsor: - Kuempel et al.
SB 17 – Stages of passage and text of the bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB17
Enrolled bill summary – SB 17 -- https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB17
Texas House – Compilation of Public Comments: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/publiccomments/billhistory/SB00017H.pdf#navpanes=0
MORE ARTICLES FOUND ON – DonnaGarner.org
7.13.23 -- “Good News: Texas A&M Shuts Out DEI Professor” -- By Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/7-13-23-good-news-texas-am-shuts-out-dei-professor-by-donna-garner/
2.21.23 – “Biden Grants Sweeping ‘Racial Equity’ Power to Susan Rice in Executive Order Converting Entire Federal Government into ‘Woke DEI Cult’” -- By Susan Berry, PhD – Star News Network -- https://donnagarner.org/2-21-23-biden-grants-sweeping-racial-equity-power-to-susan-rice-in-executive-order-converting-entire-federal-government-into-woke-dei-cult/
3.6.24 – “Critical Race Theory Is the New Segregation Across Schools Nationwide” -- By Wai Wah Chin, Adjunct Fellow at Manhattan Institute – New York Post -- https://donnagarner.org/3-6-24-critical-race-theory-is-the-new-segregation-across-schools-nationwide-by-wai-wah-chin-new-york-post/
12.7.23 – “The College Board Pushes Woke Dogma” -- By Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx -- Education Workforce Committee – U. S. House of Representatives -- Press Release -- https://donnagarner.org/12-7-23-the-college-board-pushes-woke-dogma-by-committee-chairwoman-virginia-foxx-u-s-education-workforce-committee/
11.25.23 -- “My Worries Not the Usual Ones About School Choice & Education Savings Accounts” -- By Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/11-25-23-my-worries-not-the-usual-ones-about-school-choice-education-savings-accounts-by-donna-garner/
7.22.23 -- “Texas A&M President Resigns, UT Professor Cries Race” -- By Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/7-22-23-texas-am-president-resigns-ut-professor-cries-race-by-donna-garner-2/
6.14.23 – “Pearson Gets Caught – Tries To Delete WOKE Evidence After HF Report” -- By Tony Kinnett – The Daily Signal -- https://donnagarner.org/6-14-23-pearson-gets-caught-tries-to-delete-woke-evidence-after-hf-report-by-tony-kinnett-the-daily-signal/
10.13.22 – “‘Wit & Wisdom’ Curriculum with Critical Race Theory in Texas Schools” -- By Carole Hornsby Haynes, PhD – Dr. Carole Haynes Newsletter -- https://donnagarner.org/10-13-22-wit-wisdom-curriculum-with-critical-race-theory-in-texas-schools/
2.13.23 -- “Tex. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Announces Top 30 Priorities for This Legislative Session” -- By Tex. Lt. Gov. Patrick -- https://donnagarner.org/tex-lt-gov-dan-patrick-announces-top-30-priorities-for-this-legislative-session/
1.24.23 – “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Hangs Its Hat in Texas” -- National Association of Scholars – Press Release -- https://donnagarner.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-hangs-its-hat-in-texas-national-association-of-scholars/