Overview

• The Texas Legislature passed the bill on June 2 to give governing boards authority to review and potentially overturn general education requirements and degree programs.
• Boards would also gain power over faculty councils, the elimination of low-enrollment certificates and a state ombudsman’s office to enforce DEI restrictions.
• Florida, Ohio and Idaho have enacted similar measures banning DEI programs, imposing prescribed curricula and limiting tenure protections at public universities.
• Opponents including the American Association of University Professors warn the expanded powers will chill academic inquiry and enforce ideological conformity.
• In Ohio a coalition of educators and students is gathering signatures for a June referendum to overturn a law that strips tenure rights and mandates a civil literacy course.