Some institutions reportedly doing away with their DEI programs include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss.
Kentucky’s decision was based on concern that the university was appearing to make decisions “through the lens of identity,” Campus Reform reported.
Randy Boyd is a Republican member of the Mississippi House of Representatives in District 19, serving much of the northeast portion of the state.
He tells AFN he thinks higher education institutions shutting down DEI offices is a growing trend.
"I think from what we've seen in some of the incidences in the federal government where things have occurred and people were relied on heavily to function, I think we've seen that it's not a good idea, that it does not supply the best candidate at the best time."
The U.S. Secret Service has come under fire since the July assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump (shown above) as critics have seized on DEI hiring practices within the legendary presidential security organization.
Last week the Colorado-based Mountain States Legal Foundation announced it is investigating USSS DEI policies.
Boyd said he thinks there’s also a trend of rethinking DEI plans among businesses. Some of them – most recently Ford Motor Company and Lowe’s home improvement center – seem to be pulling out.
“When you work for industries, you want to hire the best person you can get. You don't look at their color, you don't look at any aspect about them personally, you look at what they can do for you. And I think that's what people are wanting to get back to.”
There are no guarantees, but due diligence often helps employers make the best hire.
“Sometimes you make wrong calls, but then again, you make the right call a lot of times just because you've talked to them, you've gotten to know them, you know what their background is, and you feel like it's a fit for what you need,” Boyd said.
Putting state rivalry aside
Boyd himself is a graduate of Mississippi State University. He said he hopes his alma mater will follow Ole Miss on this one, and shut down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion division.
The federal government has shown that it doesn't work, he said. “I’m hoping all the universities in Mississippi will come to that conclusion and do away with DEI."
