Reaction is quite strong on both sides of the issue, with Gov. Greg Abbott’s office saying state agencies and universities should stop considering diversity in hiring. According to the memo, hiring cannot be based on factors “other than merit.”
AUSTIN, Texas — More than 50% of the students at the University of Texas at Austin are people of color. Freshman Alluwee Moore has already gotten involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus. Following Gov. Abbott's DEI memo, they're have been strong reactionsSen. Royce West, D-Dallas, has a different opinion.
Rep. Carl Tepper, R-Lubbock, has already filed legislation to fulfill the governor’s mission. If it passes, House Bill 1006 would dismantle DEI offices at public institutions. He said a candidate’s ability and expertise are what should be considered when hiring. “You can believe whatever you want; you can push those efforts in however organizing way you want to. But these things cannot be paid for by the government,” Rep. Tepper said. “I mean, these are taxpayer dollars, and it’s supposed to be neutral. The taxpayers pay their tax dollars so that they can have their roads fixed, so that they can have a courthouse and the justice system, and so they can have a state university system where blue-collar people can send their kids to college...
Kris Sloan, an educational policy professor at St. Edward’s University in Austin, said it’s important to consider diversity during hiring processes, especially at universities that attract people of various backgrounds. “So it comes from both the bottom-up from students, who don’t see their interests and backgrounds reflected in the university culture, including academics. But it also comes from the universities who are using DEI initiatives to bolster retention rates, which equals revenue,” he said.Rep. Tepper said he’s heard from job applicants who worry they won’t get hired if they don’t answer questions about diversity, equity and inclusion correctly.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Black, Latino groups blast Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for targeting DEI practicesAUSTIN — Two organizations representing Black and Latino lawmakers are striking back against Gov. Greg Abbott’s warning that state entities cannot consider “div...
Read more »
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says diversity efforts 'illegal,' state agencies should stopThe memo, from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office, said diversity efforts in hiring 'proactively encourage discrimination.'
Read more »
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calls diversity efforts 'illegal,' tells state agencies to stopNEW YORK — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office has notified state agencies that the use of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in hiring is illegal, according to a memo obtained by ABC News.
Read more »
Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies to stop considering diversity in hiringIn a memo written Monday and obtained by The Texas Tribune, Abbott's chief of staff Gardner Pate told agency leaders that using diversity, equity and inclusion policies in hiring violates federal and state employment laws.
Read more »