By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill banning the use of state funds for “diversity, equity and inclusion” jobs, activities or programs at Oklahoma college and university campuses.
Senate Bill 796 also prohibits schools from requiring DEI statements on applications, disclosure of pronouns, and DEI-related training or education.
Critics of the bill who debated against its passage previously said the measure claws back at advancements in civil rights and inclusion. Democrats debating against the bill said they were worried the ban would bleed into other inclusion programs like Oklahoma Promise and affect access to students with disabilities.
Supporters said that DEI discriminates against white men and merit-based outcomes.
The ban also prevents schools from requiring people to adhere to specific viewpoints or favor a particular religion, race or sex.
Debating in favor of her bill on May 6, Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, said students have been forced to take courses irrelevant to their degree because of DEI, extending the time and money spent on a degree. She did not provide an example.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the governing board for the state’s public colleges and universities, must create rules to comply with the law.
Lawmakers passed the bill with an emergency clause, meaning it takes effect July 1. Schools have until July 1, 2026 to comply.
