Members of the House Higher Education Subcommittee unanimously shot down a bill Monday that would establish prohibitions for public universities and other public institutions of higher education regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Before the vote, bill sponsor Representative John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, told committee members that DEI promotes discrimination. Ragan said his bill is designed to be colorblind and sex neutral.
“The idea of diversity and thought and viewpoint is something to be encouraged in our universities. But diversity on the basis of anything else has no place in our higher education system,” said Ragan. “The idea behind this is that the universities right now have diversity, equity, and inclusion as a watchword for discrimination.”
DEI is used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. These policies encompass people of different ages, races, disabilities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and cultures.
Committee members expressed concern that the proposed legislation would limit the support a university could offer student groups, like those in the Jewish community who are seeing a rise in anti-Semitism due to the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Representative Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, said he received a letter from the Knoxville Jewish Alliance that expressed concern this bill would do just that.
“The University of Tennessee has been working with students in the Jewish community to provide intentional support services, anti-Semitism education and training, and spaces for students to share life experiences, reflect and connect with others during this troubled time in our world’s history. House Bill 1948, if enacted, the university would be prevented from continuing these efforts. Its passage would also limit the university’s ability to provide and expend on coaching and advocacy support for Jewish student organizations,” wrote the organization in the letter.
Members also expressed concerns that the bill violates a federal guideline.
