Other new laws make changes to the tax code, criminal justice and health care systems.

When Texas college students return to their campuses after the winter break, they’ll discover the lights are still off in their campuses’ diversity offices.

That’s because a new law that outlaws such work at the state’s higher education institutions goes into effect, Jan. 1.

Another 29 laws also will go into effect in the new year that aim to change the economy, tax codes and the criminal justice system.

…

Dissolving diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities: Senate Bill 17 requires public universities to end so-called diversity, equity and inclusion work. Universities will also be unable to offer training on diversity and inclusion for its faculty and staff, or require diversity statements in hiring processes. Universities must also confirm to the Legislature between legislative sessions that they are in full compliance.

…

The law’s restrictions do not apply to class instruction, materials needed for federal grant applications or student organizations on campuses, but multiple university officials have said the law has made hiring new faculty more difficult.

  • NobodyElse@sh.itjust.works
    1246·
    11 months ago

    Ah yes, any disagreement must come from the “other team” and hatred or ignorance. How insightful…

    As a minority who should have seen benefit from such an office, and who is not conservative by any means, all I saw from these diversity offices in college was posters for social events and regular emails from a long string of parasitic Chief Diversity Officers, while our labs and classrooms were looking increasingly dilapidated.

    Do you have any evidence to back up the claims that these offices actually do anything toward achieving the stated goals? Surely they’ve been around long enough to have measurable outcomes.

    • makeshiftreaper@lemmy.world
      476·
      11 months ago

      I’m going to run around making claims and when people disagree I’ll make them have evidence!

      If you claim these offices are worthless and that this is a good policy then prove it. It’s not the defense’s job in an argument to prove their point. Anything asserted without evidence can be equally dismissed without evidence.

      Anyway here’s an academic study stating that exposure to diversity improves cultural awareness and political involvement: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02680930210127577

      Here’s a statement from an inter-collegiate group on these programs:

      “Data shows, DEI efforts help create an academic community that generates a higher enrollment rate, matriculation rate, and eventual success rate. DEI is for students with disabilities, veterans with PTSD, minority students, and students who are New Americans who may need extra help due to language or cultural barriers. DEI helps more students achieve the American Dream of success via a college education.” Source

      • JoJoGAH@lemmy.world
        312·
        11 months ago

        Knowing that something failed you and stating it does not call for being preached to by someone who the system obviously worked for. This is just the flip side of the “I know better than you” coin.

        This type of educated bullying is also not the answer, or response that gains results.

        People have opinions and experiences with out having to back them up with studies and papers . Your response is maddening in the way that it only serves a cooling effect on actual sharing of experience and input… which cools all that lovely diverse , straggler input.

        You sound like you’re hiding feelings behind papers and studies.

        What is so hard about using what you learned without quoting all you know?

        • makeshiftreaper@lemmy.world
          131·
          11 months ago

          Hey quick question, what the fuck are you talking about?

          The other guy started this.

          do these offices actually achieve anything?

          I responded with a list of things that they do

          do you have any evidence to back up these claims

          I responded with why I didn’t need evidence to make my point, then provided it anyway.

          Maybe I could be perceived as snarky and mean, but I suspect the commenter suggesting the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices in places where we shape the future of our society might not be sincerely posing the question.

          What is so hard about using what you learned without quoting all you know?

          Literally the 2nd highest upvoted comment on this post and the first response to the commenter is me doing just that

          • JoJoGAH@lemmy.world
            11·
            11 months ago

            My point is mostly this: are we here to discuss and provide information or throw paper at each other. The comment you responded to wasn’t one I agreed with either ,but it was based on their opinion and (imo) not worth arguing because opinions are subjective. It is worth considering becasue they are telling you about their personal, if ancesdotal, experience.

            So when people completely miss the opportunity for conversation about something that appears controversial, and rather pile on because they are daring to have an opinion… well ya , I say something.

            I’ve been around long enough to see institutional thinking crush community and conversation and I don’t like it. So there is my subjective opinion and feedback.