Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a further step in the battle against woke ideology. In a memo, he called on state colleges and universities to report expenditures on resources that are dedicated to activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion, and critical race theory.
Chris Spencer, director of DeSantis' Office of Policy and Budget, forwarded the memo to those charged with oversight of the college and university systems. Spencer said, "It is important that we have a complete understanding of the operating expenses of state institutions" in order to prepare "policy and budget proposals."
Exhaustive list
MEMO: All state university & college systems in Florida have been required to report expenditures and resources utilized for campus activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and critical race theory. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/E4Z4zLuJgC
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) January 4, 2023
The DeSantis Administration requires these educational institutions, by Jan. 13, to "provide a comprehensive list of all campus personnel, programs and activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory." They must also detail "the costs associated with administering each program or activity," including a description of the activities, the paid positions, and how much of the money is provided by the state government.
DeSantis again made it clear during his inauguration speech last Tuesday that the fight against the woke ideology in the education system, and especially at the highest levels, is one of his priorities.
We must ensure school systems are responsive to parents and to students, not partisan interest groups, and we must ensure that our institutions of higher learning are focused on academic excellence and the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of trendy ideology.
Imposition of the woke ideology
This initiative has been harshly criticized by Democratic politicians, who consider it "sickening." This was indicated in a tweet by state Congresswoman Angie Nixon. The representative accused DeSantis of totalitarianism for putting educational freedom in public colleges and universities "on the radar of destruction.”
In the so-called free state of Florida under Gov. DeSantis, the freedom to run DEI programs at public colleges and universities appears next on the radar for destruction. Nothing is safe and it’s sickening. https://t.co/Fz2Mirb4qv
— State Rep. Angie Nixon (@AngieNixon) January 4, 2023
However, the memo has been well received in educational circles. The Manhattan Institute's Christopher Rufo applauded the Florida governor's move to "lay siege" to woke university programs:
Gov. DeSantis is going to lay siege to university "diversity, equity, and inclusion" programs. https://t.co/cD1PdiY2Js
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) January 4, 2023
