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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 19, 2024 02:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Milou Mackenzie |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Public University DEI Funding Ban |
| In the near future, I am planning to introduce legislation to eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) funding at Pennsylvania publicly funded colleges and universities. Education has long been the most powerful resource we can provide to empower the next generation of Pennsylvanians. Fortunately, our state is home to several prestigious institutions of higher education, many of which are state-funded. To preserve a state-of-the-art higher education system that prepares students to contribute to our state and nation, it is important to ensure our publicly funded institutions remain focused on their core purpose: education. State funded colleges and universities should produce graduates that contribute to the economic, social, and cultural development of Pennsylvania's communities, the commonwealth, and the nation. Unfortunately, as higher education has become increasingly invested in DEI programs, we have seen college and university administrations abandon a merit-based approach. DEI programs use millions of dollars in taxpayer resources and have failed to advance diversity. Instead, many of these programs and offices are hampering free speech and pushing political agendas on our college students. This legislation will close DEI offices on the campuses of state-funded colleges and universities and put an end to all activities that discriminate against students based on their race, ethnicity, or gender. It will also prohibit diversity statements for job applicants at Pennsylvania higher education institutions and eliminates mandatory DEI training for higher education staff. Finally, this bill affirms the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title VII, Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, and does not restrict any student-led organization or academic research or coursework. Pennsylvania colleges and universities are among the best in the nation. We owe it to students and the taxpayers that fund higher education to ensure our state-funded higher education system prepares students for a lifetime of success. Please join me in this effort to return our colleges and universities to their intended purpose. |
Introduced as HB2546
Memo Updated: August 23, 2024 11:26 AM