The Florida Board of Governors recently made a controversial decision to ban state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at public colleges and universities in the state.[0] This move is part of a larger trend in the United States, where higher education DEI spending has become a target for criticism. The board’s decision has sparked heated debates and raised concerns about the future of DEI efforts in Florida’s higher education institutions.
The board’s decision means that public colleges and universities in Florida will no longer be able to use state or federal funding for DEI programs and related initiatives. This includes any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals based on race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment based on such classification.[1] The board argues that the decision is aimed at returning higher education to its essential foundations of academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge, rather than promoting what they view as divisive ideologies.
One of the consequences of this decision is the replacement of the “Principles of Sociology” course with an “Introductory Survey to 1877” course.[2] The board claims that the new course will provide a historically accurate account of America’s founding, the horrors of slavery, the resulting Civil War, and the Reconstruction era.[2] They argue that this change is necessary to ensure students are exposed to factual history rather than what they perceive as radical woke ideologies.[3]
Critics of the board’s decision argue that it is politically motivated and undermines the importance of DEI efforts in higher education. They argue that sociology is a legitimate discipline that plays a crucial role in understanding social life, social change, and the causes and consequences of human behavior.[4] They argue that eliminating the sociology requirement and banning DEI funding disregards the value of these subjects in providing a well-rounded education and preparing students for a diverse and inclusive society.
The American Sociological Association has voiced its concerns about the decision, stating that it comes from a gross misunderstanding of sociology as an illegitimate discipline driven by radical and woke ideology.[2] They argue that sociology is essential for civic literacy and a broad range of careers, as it provides expert knowledge, understanding, and methodological skills to address complex social problems.[4]
The decision by Florida’s Board of Governors is not without its consequences. It has sparked protests and backlash from students, faculty, and advocacy groups who see it as an attack on diversity and inclusion in higher education. They argue that the decision undermines efforts to create safe and welcoming environments for all students and perpetuates inequalities and discrimination.
In response to the decision, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. has defended the board’s actions, stating that higher education should prioritize academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge rather than promoting what he views as destructive ideologies.[5] He argues that the decision ensures that taxpayers’ money is not used to support DEI and what he perceives as radical indoctrination.[6]
The debate over DEI funding and the role of sociology in higher education is likely to continue in Florida and across the United States. Supporters of DEI efforts argue that they are necessary to address systemic inequalities and create inclusive learning environments, while opponents view them as divisive and unnecessary. The outcome of this ongoing debate will have significant implications for the future of diversity and inclusion in higher education.
0. “Florida UNF students protest imminent closing of LGBTQ center” NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/florida-unf-students-protest-closing-lgbtq-center-rcna135758
1. “Florida bans DEI programs in state colleges” MSNBC, 18 Jan. 2024, https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/florida-desantis-dei-public-college-ban-rcna134495
2. “Florida replaces sociology with a “factual” U.S. history survey course” Current, 26 Jan. 2024, https://currentpub.com/2024/01/26/florida-replaces-sociology-with-a-factual-u-s-history-survey-course/
3. “Florida Bans DEI and Sociology Class From State Colleges” The Daily Beast, 17 Jan. 2024, https://www.thedailybeast.com/florida-bans-dei-and-sociology-class-from-state-colleges
4. “Florida cracks down on DEI at state universities, removes sociology class” WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando, 26 Jan. 2024, https://www.clickorlando.com/news/florida/2024/01/26/florida-cracks-down-on-dei-at-state-universities-removes-sociology-class/
5. “Students protest ban on DEI funding, removal of sociology from core classes” WCTV, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.wctv.tv/2024/01/25/students-protest-ban-dei-funding-removal-sociology-core-classes/
6. “Florida Banning DEI In All Public Colleges, DeSantis Says” Essence, 22 Jan. 2024, https://www.essence.com/news/florida-banning-dei-public-colleges-desantis/
