Small also suggested reducing the budget for higher education institutions to curb DEI spending and raising standards for professors.
(The Center Square) – Oklahoma’s universities spend millions on diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements, and one lawmaker said he wants to do something about it.
Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, called for a study on DEI at the state’s universities during a recent meeting of the Senate Education Committee.
“I think it’s really destroying our higher ed institutions and it’s really hurting both our faculty and our students and I’ve had many, many parents and faculty, both family and friends, who have complained to me about this for quite a few years,” Standridge said.
At Oklahoma State University, all new students must complete a diversity course, according to Matt Beienburg, director of education policy at the Goldwater Institute. Job applicants seeking to join the faculty at various institutions are required to submit a “diversity statement” along with their resume and cover letter, he said.