For more updated information, check out the story below on the executive order and OU's reaction.
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Tuesday that he will be signing an executive order calling for a review of diversity, equity and inclusion at Oklahoma higher education institutions.
The executive order will require state agencies and universities to review the necessity and efficiency of DEI positions, departments, activities, procedures and programs, according to a media advisory sent Tuesday afternoon.
"Governor Kevin Stitt will take executive action to put students first while taking steps to remove politics from institutes of higher learning," the advisory read.
Florida and Texas have previously banned DEI funding and programming at state universities.
In May, Florida became the first state to ban DEI funding. The ban provoked concerns among Florida university staff, who cited anxieties over the ban’s lack of clarity and fears of job loss.
In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned DEI programs and offices in the state. Opponents said the ban ignored the systemic inequalities for African Americans.
Sean Burrage, OU vice president of executive affairs, said Monday night during an OU Faculty Senate meeting that the university had expected the press conference. Burrage added that Belinda Higgs Hyppolite, OU vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, has been involved conversations about a possible DEI review.
Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) told OU Daily that DEI programs discriminate, favoring some students over others. He added he wants universities to be merit-based, which he believes can occur with the elimination of DEI.
“DEI hurts the university,” Standridge said. “When it goes to the point it has at OU where it discriminates against some to favor others based on race or gender or whatever other criteria they're using, that's when it becomes inappropriate and unconstitutional.”
Standridge said he thinks that financial aid is being administered based on race and gender. He added it is one of his next legislative concerns.
“That's going on at some schools now where they're trying to get around losing DEI to still discriminate,” Standridge said. “So that’s the next thing that’ll probably end up in lawsuits.”
Standridge said if OU moves away from DEI, it will prevent some students from being punished for historical wrongdoings.
“We've got to get rid of shaming people for past transgressions of their race or whatever else their great-great-great-great-grandfather did,” Standridge said.
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman) told OU Daily the executive order and a possible DEI programs ban are not shocking and he thinks it could be illegal. He sees the executive order being challenged in court, citing House Bill 1775 and the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School.
“(Oklahoma) is kind of like a conservative lab to try different things and see if it works or doesn't work,” Rosecrants said. “They want it to go to the courts, all the way up to the Supreme Court, which is stacked right now, so they can really start making some waves.”
A federal judge heard opening statements last week for a lawsuit against HB 1775 filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Rosecrants said DEI programs are positive additions to universities. Rosecrants believes a potential ban could deter students who value DEI programs.
“This is a diverse world, inclusion is important and making sure things are equitable is a great idea,” Rosecrants said. “I’m really not sure why these people are ripping on it, except for the fact that it's three letters and politicians know how to use those three letters to scare their base.”
The press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Capitol Blue Room. It will also be live streamed.
Read more about DEI:
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd, Taylor Jones and Anusha Fathepure. Grace Rhodes copy edited this story.
