After several weeks of public testimony and debate, the Texas Senate has passed Senate Bills (SB) 17 and 18, which will affect diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and tenure, respectively.
Last week, SB 17 passed in the Senate on a vote of 19-12. Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, proposed the bill. Language in the bill would “prohibit public higher education institutions across the state from maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion offices or requiring DEI statements in admissions or hiring,” according to the Austin American-Statesman. UTSA’s Office of Inclusive Excellence would be affected should SB 17 pass.
While the language around these bills has been established, the university will not be commenting until the legislation is finalized.