Florida bill would end diversity programs, ban majors, shift power at universities

[teach1st]

Florida bill would end diversity programs, ban majors, shift power at universities
Tampa Bay Times, 2/23/2023

A bill filed this week in the Florida House would turn many of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wide-ranging ideas on higher education into law by limiting diversity efforts, vastly expanding the powers of university boards and altering course offerings.

House Bill 999, filed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, proposes leaving all faculty hiring to boards of trustees, allowing a faculty member’s tenure to be reviewed “at any time,” and removing majors or minors in subjects like critical race theory and gender studies. It would also prohibit spending on activities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion and create new general education requirements.

DeSantis’ administration has been alluding to legislation like this for weeks. In early January, his budget office required all universities to detail what they spend on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. And on Jan. 31, the governor held a news conference announcing a sweeping package of changes that mirror those in Andrade’s bill.

...

General education courses, the bill says, “may not suppress or distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics, such as Critical Race Theory, or defines American history as contrary to the creation of a new nation based on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.” It spells out communications, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and math courses that may count as general education credits.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/02/23/florida-bill-would-end-diversity-programs-ban-majors-shift-power-universities/

No paywall: https://archive.ph/8AWrK

[underpants]

1. The stupid hurts.

[Skittles]

2. "may not suppress or distort significant historical events"

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THESE FASCIST FUCKS ARE DOING

[Botany]

3. " ... subjects like critical race theory."

Which is not taught in any Florida College or University.

DeSantis and the GOP in Florida are trying to see how much shit they can get away with by
pushing made up issues.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Turning Florida into a Russian colony.

[Rebl2]

7. Certainly sounds like it

[redstatebluegirl]

5. I hope none of those undergrads want to go to a

Graduate School in another state. Good grief what a bunch of morons.

[leftieNanner]

6. My Daughter has been applying for a tenure-track university position this year

A colleague told her about a position at one of the Florida schools. She did not even apply. Nor one at Baylor in Texas.

There will be incredible brain drain in Florida (and elsewhere) - both by people moving out and by new brains not moving in.

I don't think these Republicans have thought this all the way through. There are always consequences.