During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the effectiveness and future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Texas public universities. The meeting featured representatives from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), who emphasized their nonprofit status and commitment to providing free resources on their website.

A significant point of contention was the impact of DEI units over the past decade. Data presented indicated that minority faculty recruitment in Texas universities had decreased from 3.1% to 1.4% under DEI programs. In contrast, Texas Women’s University, which does not have a DEI office, reportedly achieved the most diverse campus and faculty hiring in the state. This raised questions about the effectiveness of DEI initiatives in achieving their stated goals.

The conversation also touched on the controversial requirement for university faculty to sign political loyalty oaths, which some argued were not based on race but rather political beliefs. Critics highlighted instances where professors faced termination for pledging to treat all students equally, suggesting that such actions were not representative of all universities in Texas.

Senator West questioned whether it was appropriate to eliminate DEI programs based on isolated incidents of misconduct. He argued for correcting specific behaviors rather than discarding entire policies. The meeting concluded with a call for more effective strategies to increase diversity among faculty and students, with a focus on merit-based outcomes.

Overall, the discussions highlighted a divide over the effectiveness of DEI initiatives and the best path forward for promoting diversity in Texas higher education.