DEI Falls In Florida

About this time last spring, Carolina Partnership for Reform was honored to have former U.S. Senator and current University of Florida President Ben Sasse in Raleigh for a luncheon speech. Last week, our friend popped up in the news again.

When we read that the University of Florida had made the decision to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, we had to smile. 

You see, most in the luncheon crowd that day last year were not that familiar with Ben Sasse. However, they were quickly enthralled by his 30-minute address of wit, wisdom, and outright brilliance. He went on to take questions and further impress with his vast knowledge of issues and his observations and solutions for complex problems. There was not a doubt in the room after his time with us that the University of Florida had someone special who would be a powerful voice for education reform.

So when we heard of Florida’s policy change we weren’t surprised. Yes, the change arose from a new state law passed last year followed by action taken by Florida’s state university system Board of Governors in January prohibiting the state’s public universities and colleges from spending money (including private donations) on DEI programs.

But we have a strong hunch that President Sasse was not crying.

The University of Florida statement was clear, stating that they had “closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.”

National Review lauded the move, and they also suspected no sadness from Sasse. They cited Sasse’s inaugural address at his new post last year, where he said that “universities ought not to be ‘in the business of advancing either a theology of the right, or a theology of the left.’ ‘We are not,’ Sasse proposed pithily, ‘a seminary.’”

Every once in a while, common sense like a sliver of sunlight surprisingly pops through the clouds. 

Florida says they’re saving $5 million cutting out DEI programs in their university system. We wonder how much legislators could save North Carolina taxpayers if they instituted a similar policy.