Latest news with #SenateBill796
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DEI ban on Oklahoma college campuses signed into law
Under a newly signed law, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will need to create rules to require Oklahoma's colleges and universities to comply with a DEI ban. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill banning the use of state funds for 'diversity, equity and inclusion' jobs, activities or programs at Oklahoma college and university campuses. Senate Bill 796 also prohibits schools from requiring DEI statements on applications, disclosure of pronouns, and DEI-related training or education. Critics of the bill who debated against its passage previously said the measure claws back at advancements in civil rights and inclusion. Democrats debating against the bill said they were worried the ban would bleed into other inclusion programs like Oklahoma Promise and affect access to students with disabilities. Supporters said that DEI discriminates against white men and merit-based outcomes. The ban also prevents schools from requiring people to adhere to specific viewpoints or favor a particular religion, race or sex. Debating in favor of her bill on May 6, Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, said students have been forced to take courses irrelevant to their degree because of DEI, extending the time and money spent on a degree. She did not provide an example. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the governing board for the state's public colleges and universities, must create rules to comply with the law. Lawmakers passed the bill with an emergency clause, meaning it takes effect July 1. Schools have until July 1, 2026 to comply. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill banning DEI on Oklahoma university campuses heads to governor's desk
Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, authored a bill that would ban Oklahoma's colleges and universities from using state funds for DEI policies or jobs. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — After two hours of debate and discussion, House lawmakers on Tuesday sent legislation to Gov. Kevin Stitt that would ban Oklahoma colleges and universities from using state funds for 'diversity, equity and inclusion' jobs, activities or programs. If signed by Stitt, Senate Bill 796, authored by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, would also prevent institutions from requiring DEI statements on applications, the disclosure of pronouns and training related to diversity, equity or inclusion. Schools would have until July 1, 2026, to comply. Despite criticisms that the bill would claw back advancements in civil rights and inclusion, it advanced from the House and Senate with party line votes as proponents argued outcomes should be based on merit. Crosswhite Hader said DEI has forced students in Oklahoma to take courses or classes that are irrelevant to their degree, prolonging the time and cost of obtaining a postsecondary degree. Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, said DEI discriminates against white men and punishes people who 'work hard.' 'The older generation, we got over these racial issues as a society decades ago, before some of you were even born,' Fetgatter said. '… The older generations, we used to laugh at each other and how stupid our history was.' A former teacher, Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, said he blames DEI policies for the discrimination of a white student. He said the student was bullied for being the only white child in the classroom. But Democrats said they worried a DEI ban would bleed into inclusion programs like Oklahoma Promise, a scholarship program for qualified low-income students, and would limit opportunities for underrepresented populations. Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, said she feared the legislation would negatively impact students with disabilities and their ability to be included in courses, activities and job searches. Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said it took until 2015 for her to be elected as the first Asian American woman in the Oklahoma Legislature. She said it's not an indictment of a lack of capable Asian American women, but a lack of representation. Programs designed to increase inclusion and equity were part of the reason Munson said she was able to be elected to the Legislature. Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, said her own father attended a segregated school, an example of how such exclusions affect people today. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma bill to codify Gov. Kevin Stitt's DEI ban at universities clears hurdle
An Oklahoma Senate bill that would codify Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive order prohibiting state funds from supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at higher education institutions is inching closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 796, authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, would require universities to submit a certificate of compliance showing that tax dollars are not being spent on DEI initiatives to the governor and legislative leaders by July 1, 2026, and every July 1 thereafter. The measure passed in the House Postsecondary Education committee 4-2 on Tuesday with Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, voting against it. Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, SB 796's House author, told the committee that the bill would stop preferential treatment at Oklahoma universities. She said she believed athletes at some universities had been required to participate in trainings on white privilege, but did not say where or when that had happened. The lawmaker said equity creates determined outcomes while equality creates outcomes based on merit. She did not vote on the bill Tuesday as she's not a member of the committee. More: Conservative activist Riley Gaines speaks at the University of Oklahoma, draws protest "What we're seeing is students that are going into college to learn, say, to be an engineer, having a whole other topic that they're having to study, taking out student loans, taking a longer time in college for something that is really not anything that was on their radar that they're focusing on for an education," Crosswhite Hader said. During the meeting, McCane, a Black and Native American woman, told Crosswhite Hader that she was called a racial slur for the first time when she was 5 years old, adding that there are numerous other 5-year-olds who haven't had that experience. McCane asked the representative whether she'd agree that kids who might be targeted with racial slurs would benefit from different types of support from children who don't face those taunts — equitable support rather than equal support, she said. Crosswhite Hader said she would not agree. Oklahoma universities have already pulled back DEI initiatives in response to Stitt's 2023 executive order that required state agencies and higher education institutions to formally review the necessity and efficiency of DEI positions, departments, activities, procedures and programs. Five months after the directive, the University of Oklahoma announced the closure of its National Education for Women's Leadership program. The program encouraged young women to engage in politics and public policy, and graduated more than 650 female students from 42 colleges since it was founded in 2002. More: Performers, LGBTQ+ advocates fear potential impact of anti-drag bills on OKC's Pride festivals At the time, the closure created heightened concerns about the fate of state-funded programs meant to empower women and minorities. That conversation resurfaced during the committee meeting on Tuesday when Ranson referenced the program's closure and asked Crosswhite Hader whether SB 796 would support that chilling effect, giving women fewer opportunities at universities. "Though I participated in that organization, as well, that was an opportunity where the university took a proactive approach, rather than the state giving them a directive," Crosswhite Hader answered. She said that the program was never responsible for her decision to run for office, adding that she never wanted to be elected because she's a woman, but because she wanted to be the best candidate. During debate on the bill, McCane cited her own experiences to explain how systemic barriers can affect people of color. The 37-year-old representative is in the first generation of her family to have the rights of all Americans. "We are not talking about extra. We are talking about people who have systemically and historically been kept out of spaces and have to work much harder, and this is about just giving them the help that they should have had from the beginning," she said. Crosswhite Hader responded by saying, "Where someone's history falls, we have come a long way." "Women in particular have the opportunity to serve in this body just like anyone else, but it is based on merit," Crosswhite Hader said. "It is not based on an extra starting block or even starting from behind. Any of us getting in this building has worked to make ourselves get to this position." The two lawmakers continued to talk one-on-one for a few minutes after representatives voted to approve the bill. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma bill to codify Gov. Stitt's DEI ban at universities advancing
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill doing away with DEI in higher education moves forward
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – In the final week for bills to be heard in committee meetings at the Capitol, the Senate Education Committee held one of its longest meetings. On the agenda was a bill that would do away with DEI in higher education in Oklahoma, carrying out an executive order by Governor Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 796 was authored by Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. 'I recognize that there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and I respect that and I respect our differences of opinion,' said Pugh during the committee meeting. Sen. Pugh said the bill was not one he would typically run but said he felt it was necessary. 'We actually sat down with, not only the governor's office, but actually institutions of higher education, and they were at the table helping craft this legislation,' said Pugh. The bill states that no college or university in Oklahoma 'shall utilize state funds, property, or resources to: grant or support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures, or programs.' Lawmakers approve bill limiting use of Virtual School days Lawmakers debated whether the decision could lead to a loss in accreditation and funding.'I obviously am concerned that existing programs that currently are working towards very high aspirations and making sure that all students receive a world class education, that those will be hindered by putting this into state statute,' said Senate Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. Those who supported the bill said it was a move that was a long-time coming.'I really believe that by doing this, the universities will have a freedom and how to better treat and make their admissions programs continue to be fair and do it as they see how to do it best,' said Senator Dave Rader, R-Tulsa. The bill passed through committee with a 7-3 vote. It now advances to the Senate floor. Other bills that were discussed during the Senate Education Committee included one that would only allow virtual learning days to be used during emergencies. It passed committee 7-5. Another bill that would not allow teachers to pay for unions through their payroll failed to move forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
