DEI Offices Close at Texas Colleges and Universities as New Law Takes Effect

Texas public colleges and universities have closed their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices as a new state law has taken effect. Senate Bill 17, which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott last year, eliminates DEI offices at public colleges and universities. Public institutions receiving state funds are no longer permitted to allow race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity to influence admissions, hiring, and training practices. The bill came after Mr. Abbott’s office warned state agencies and public universities that hiring an employee for any reason other than merit was against anti-discrimination laws. The new law essentially blocks state-funded institutions of higher learning from promoting or providing special benefits, programs, training, activities, or hiring practices regarding race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation....