Education committee hears sharply divided testimony on LB552 to ban DEI offices at public colleges

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Education Committee heard heated testimony on Legislative Bill 552, a measure from Sen. Loren Lippincott that would prohibit public postsecondary institutions from establishing or maintaining offices or programs identified as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and would ban certain DEI‑related hiring or admissions preferences.

Sponsor’s case: Lippincott opened the hearing saying LB552 would bar units that “influence hiring or employment practices based on race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation” and would forbid programs that he described as promoting “concepts such as systemic oppression, privilege and power structures.” He framed the bill as protecting merit, free speech and “preventing ideological coercion” on campuses (Sen. Loren Lippincott, introducer).

Opposition from system leaders and campus communities: University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold and multiple campus leaders testified in…