It's Time to Get Rid of DEI in Idaho Higher Education
Because Ending Indoctrination in Idaho's Higher Education is Long Overdue
During a period when our educational systems are being closely examined, it's crucial to initiate bold reforms in 2024.
This is why I'm proud to announce a bill that will get us back to our roots and invigorate higher education in Idaho. Aligning with Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and others, this legislation reinforces the commitment to prioritize academic merit and excellence over divisive identity politics and inflammatory rhetoric.
This isn't just a policy shift; it's a cultural revolution in education that Idahoans are chomping at the bit to be a part of.
Why This, Why Now?
The decision made in Oklahoma, where DEI policies were banned in state institutions, has reignited a nationwide debate on the role of such policies in our educational institutions.
As we look around the nation, we see:
“At least 40 anti-DEI bills have been introduced in 22 states and at least seven have passed, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Earlier this year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned DEI offices at public colleges and universities, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defunded such programs.”1
These actions from various states underscore the growing momentum of a national movement that Idaho should be an active part of.
The inspiration for this bill stems from a fundamental belief that Idaho's higher education should emphasize academic merit and excellence - period. Because Idaho has always been a place where hard work, dedication, and merit are celebrated, and our educational institutions should reflect these values.
It's a moment for our state to join hands with other forward-thinking states in setting a shining example. We aim to showcase that the foundations of education should be built upon academic rigor and excellence, rather than being swayed by wokeism, Marxism, or race-based discrimination.
The Bill: Core Objectives & Rationale
The bill seeks to emphasize academic merit and excellence as the primary drivers of success within our educational institutions by:
Disbanding DEI Bureaucracies: The bill unequivocally bars the allocation of funds to support DEI offices, officers, and employees at Idaho's public higher education institutions.
Eliminating Diversity Statements: It removes the consideration of diversity statements in both employment processes and college admissions.
Ending Mandatory Diversity Training: The legislation firmly puts an end to mandatory diversity training for students, faculty, and staff at these institutions.
The rationale behind this bill is clear…
America needs to revisit the core principles of education, which are knowledge acquisition, intellectual growth, and scholarly pursuit.
To achieve this, we must shape an educational system that acknowledges and rewards students for their academic achievements, placing a strong emphasis on meritocracy and academic excellence.
Impact on Idaho's Higher Education
The enactment of this bill is set to significantly elevate Idaho's educational standards. By emphasizing academic merit and excellence, we’re not only enhancing our students' educational experience but also elevating our institutions' stature nationally.
This strategic shift in focus is more than a local change; it's a pioneering move with the potential to set a precedent, inspiring other states and nations to consider similar reforms, thereby contributing to a broader transformation in global education.
Because at the end of the day, student success isn't determined by privilege, ideology, or diversity quotas; it's built on the solid foundation of hard work and academic achievement. This principle stands as a testament to the core values of our educational system, emphasizing that true merit and effort are the real keys to achievement.
*Bill language to be released in January 2024https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/oklahoma-governor-signs-executive-order-defunding-dei-efforts-in-public-colleges/ar-AA1lz0uK
Thank you Brian. This is well past due and should've never been allowed in the 1st place. It's this kind of stuff that's been able to seep into the system here through the governor's office and the old guard politicians, that helped me relize that Idaho has a red team with blue management. Pretty sick when you think about it. The citizens elect them to protect their children and their families from this kind of leftist destruction and taxation, and they are making deals in the dark of night to expand all of it for a few ounces of silver and a name plate on the door of an office. Pathetic.
It’s sad that such a bill is even necessary, but in the immortal words of Yoda: “Need it we do. “
Thank you for being a Jedi Knight for freedom, sanity, and a return to foundational values.
Elon Musk said: “DEI must DIE.”
And Captain Picard said: “Make it So!”