Why defunding DEI is a mistake
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at all state universities. Under the new law, Florida state universities are prohibited from spending state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs that “advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism.” The prohibition on promoting political activism is ironic, as the legislature appropriated $32 million to shore up the governor’s effort to make New College an ultra-conservative and semi-religious institution.
DEI programs at Florida universities have been directed at attracting and keeping high quality students and faculty. Diversity aims to help the schools reflect the wide range of ethnicities, religions, genders and abilities inherent in our Florida communities. Equity addresses a fair and just treatment while in the institutions, regardless of background or identity. Inclusion involves engaging all members of the university community in programs, activities, decisions, and benefits that affect them.
Despite the criticism of DEI as a “distraction,” Insight Global, a multi-national staffing company, has identified many benefits of the program for business, industry and education. Putting them in the context of Florida’s universities, a primary benefit of diversity is a more extensive and inclusive talent pool that reflects all the communities in the state. Greater inclusion fosters a sense of belonging for employees and students alike, which has been shown to lead to higher retention, lower turnover, and less burnout.
Our students today are preparing to join national and international workplaces that are more diverse than ever. Data shows that these diverse teams are more likely to perform better, have improved decision-making, and breed greater innovation.
Diversity programs protect an institution’s culture, values and behaviors. Cooperation, and often competition, in an inclusionary atmosphere, results in a respect for the individual and the appreciation of the value of different perspectives. Florida’s colleges and universities have achieved national ranking and international recognition. DEI has been a powerful contributor to their success.
As a society we need to champion diversity and inclusion beyond our universities. Everyone, regardless of what they believe in or look like deserves to be treated with respect and have the same opportunities for economic success, personal freedom and happiness. This is especially important given our history of discrimination in jobs, housing and finance. We won‘t stand for our neighbors and friends to be rejected or slighted. Our values should also demand that others who may be of different color, have different beliefs, lesser income or education be treated fairly and honestly as well.
Gov. DeSantis has said that DEI stands for, “discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination.” In reality, diversity, equity and inclusion are the best strategies to prevent and redress exactly these issues in our institutions in Florida. And as we see and hear all the political rhetoric that encourages wholesale rejection of individuals, programs, books, or discussions we may not like, it appears that we may need DEI more than ever.
Jim Croteau is a graduate of Marist College, Queens College CUNY, and Florida State University.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why defunding DEI is a mistake
