All articles tagged with #diversity programs
Originally Published 27 days ago — by Inside Higher Ed
The article discusses the significant setbacks faced by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education due to political and legal challenges, including funding cuts, law bans, and institutional closures of cultural centers, leading to a perceived 'death' of DEI efforts, though some believe the underlying principles will persist under new terminology and approaches.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by The New York Times
Harvard University is navigating a complex situation where it is resisting some of the Trump administration's demands, such as eliminating diversity programs, while also implementing other changes aligned with the White House's wishes, amid ongoing negotiations and legal battles over federal funding and campus policies.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by The New York Times
The article discusses the ongoing impact of Elon Musk's efforts to reduce diversity initiatives and cut jobs in federal agencies, leading to decreased morale and operational challenges among government employees, even after Musk's departure from Washington.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives following pressure from right-wing activists. The company will end racial equity training, evaluate supplier diversity programs, and review funding for Pride and other events. This move aligns Walmart with other companies like Harley-Davidson and John Deere, which have also reduced DEI efforts amid similar pressures. Activist Robby Starbuck, who campaigns against DEI programs, claimed credit for influencing Walmart's decision.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
A U.S. federal appeals court has suspended the Fearless Fund's grant program for Black women business owners, ruling in favor of a conservative group's lawsuit claiming the program is discriminatory. The decision is part of a broader legal battle against corporate diversity initiatives, with the court finding the program likely violates the 1866 Civil Rights Act. The ruling has significant implications for diversity efforts in business and philanthropy.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Governor Cox questioned the effectiveness of diversity programs at public colleges, leading to the passing of HB261 requiring colleges to revamp their DEI efforts. Colleges provided data showing positive impacts, such as increased retention and graduation rates for marginalized students. Each institution highlighted specific achievements, including Salt Lake Community College's success in mirroring county demographics and Utah Tech University's efforts to support students from rural communities. Despite concerns about potential setbacks from the new law, colleges continue to focus on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Salt Lake Tribune
Utah's anti-DEI bill, HB261, has passed the Senate, aiming to overhaul diversity programs in education and government by prohibiting the use of terms like "diversity, equity, and inclusion" and requiring a shift to generalized "student success and support" centers. The bill, expected to be signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox, has faced opposition from Democrats and various organizations, with concerns raised about potential impacts on underrepresented communities and Native American tuition waivers. Despite efforts to pause the bill for further study, it was fast-tracked through the legislative process.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Daily Beast
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed an executive order, similar to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' moves, targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in state agencies and higher education. The order requires a review of DEI positions, departments, activities, procedures, and programs, with the aim of eliminating non-critical personnel. State agencies and institutions for higher education are prohibited from granting or supporting DEI positions or programs that provide preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. The University of Oklahoma stated that the order effectively shuts down their offices of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Critics argue that the move is a step backward and wastes taxpayer dollars.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Washington Free Beacon
An analysis by Bloomberg News reveals that only 6 percent of new S&P 100 jobs went to white applicants in the year following George Floyd's death, raising concerns about the extent of race discrimination in corporate America. The data, based on information reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shows that 94 percent of the total increase in jobs went to "people of color," despite these groups making up just 40 percent of the U.S population. The findings suggest that race-conscious decision-making has permeated routine employment decisions, potentially leading to legal challenges. Companies' efforts to incentivize diversity through financial means, such as tying executive compensation to racial targets, may also carry legal risks.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by PBS NewsHour
The Republican speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, Robin Vos, is blocking pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees unless the university cuts $32 million in spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This move comes as Republican-led states across the nation propose bills banning such measures in colleges and universities. Governor Tony Evers used his veto to save 188 DEI positions, but the funding cut remained. Vos argues that DEI programs are a waste of public funding, while Democrats accuse him of holding employees hostage. The university plans to make a case for additional funding next month, while Evers continues to push for more funding for UW.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
The American Alliance for Equal Rights, founded by conservative activist Edward Blum, has filed lawsuits against major U.S. law firms Perkins Coie and Morrison & Foerster, accusing them of unlawful bias against white candidates in their fellowship programs for racial minorities and LGBT individuals. The lawsuits claim that the firms' eligibility criteria, which prioritize historically underrepresented groups, violate the Civil Rights Act of 1866. These lawsuits come after the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected affirmative action policies in college admissions, leading to an increase in legal challenges to corporate diversity programs.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin voted to cut the University of Wisconsin System's budget by $32 million, leaving the university nearly half a billion dollars short of what it requested. The cut comes in reaction to Republican anger over diversity, equity and inclusion programs on the system's 13 universities. Democratic Governor Tony Evers threatened to veto the entire state budget if the university's budget was cut.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo News
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin voted to cut the University of Wisconsin System's budget by $32 million, leaving the university nearly half a billion dollars short of what it requested. The cut comes in reaction to Republican anger over diversity, equity and inclusion programs on the system's 13 universities. The university system could get the $32 million back at a later date if it shows how it would be spent on workforce development efforts, and not diversity, equity and inclusion programs, lawmakers said.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that prohibits tax dollars from being used in state colleges for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI) and places restrictions on classroom discussion of race. DeSantis and other conservative critics have said that DEI programs promote left-wing politics and sow racial divisions on campuses. The legislation restricts how gender and race are taught on campuses, requiring such lessons to be reviewed by the university trustees to prevent programs that "distort significant historical events" or teach "identity politics." Many higher education experts and free speech advocates have characterized the efforts as an attack on academic freedom.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that restricts how race and gender can be taught in public higher education institutions and bans them from using state or federal funding for diversity programs. Critics say the bills censor teachers and will make it harder to attract and support diverse populations at Florida's schools. The bill also augments the study of Western civilization, directs universities to provide instruction on the history and philosophy of Western civilization, and bans general education core courses that "distort" historical events or teach "identity politics."