E&W Blog

For years, colleges and universities have embraced, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies that have caused divisive and hateful rhetoric to spread.
 
Today, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing to examine just how harmful DEI policies are in higher education.


Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) started off the hearing by pointing out that DEI creates discrimination that conflicts with our Constitution. 
 
“Despite the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action, it appears universities are still playing semantic word games with their admissions processes. They are continuing to discriminate against students based on their race but under different names,” Rep. Owens said. “DEI adherence in these institutions continues to be a large factor in staff promotion and tenure and continues to feed the lack of ideological diversity among faculty. Students are forced to participate in DEI programming in order to graduate. Accreditors, instead of holding institutions accountable for student outcomes, are imposing on them DEI requirements.”

Witnesses reminded everyone of how DEI’s demand for discrimination violates Title VI.
“'No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.' That [includes] almost all colleges and universities. The Courts have long interpreted this language to prohibit intentional discrimination against anyone because of race, color, or national origin,” said Mr. Dan Morenoff, Executive Director at the American Civil Rights Project.    
In an exchange with Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Ms. Renu Mukherjee, Fellow at The Manhattan Institute, discussed her own experience as a child of Indian immigrants, saying, “I don’t want anyone to look at me or my story or where I am today and think it is a result of my skin color or my family’s skin color. First and foremost, I am a proud American citizen, as are my parents, siblings, and other relatives that are here,” she said. 

 
Bottom line: DEI policies have divided students, tainted medical care, and contradicted American values. Republicans are working to ensure that students are evaluated and supported based on merit.