Republican lawmakers in Kansas have joined their GOP counterparts in other states in trying to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but the proposals they’ve advanced are written to avoid having to agree on how to define DEI.
The Kansas House on Thursday approved a bill aimed at preventing universities, community colleges or technical colleges from basing a student’s admission or an employee’s hiring or promotion on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity or inclusion. While the bill includes those words, it also says universities cannot require a statement about “any political ideology or movement.”
The House’s 81-39 vote, mostly along party lines, came a week after the Senate approved a proposed $25 billion state budget with a provision designed to force universities to eliminate such requirements and mandatory DEI training. The provision would withhold $35.7 million from the state’s six universities until they report to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the Republican-controlled Legislature’s leaders that they have done so.
Rep. Ford Carr, pictured above, voted against the House Bill as did all Democrats.