Voz media US Voz.us
Apple store Voz-media Play store Voz Media

DeSantis 'lays siege' to woke ideology at state colleges and universities

Florida is demanding information from colleges and universities about the money spent on diversity, equity and critical race theory programs.

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

Published by
Israel Duro

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

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.”

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:

tracking