Does DEI fight or promote discriminatory practices? South Carolina takes sides.

Are students and faculty being discriminated on South Carolina higher education campuses? Legislators are trying to find out, but some warn their efforts will have grave consequences.

A bill targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in hiring practices at state colleges has caused uproar from Democrats. Republicans have argued that, if anything, the bill ensures is a fair playing field, and no one is discriminated against. Democrats, however, raised concerns that without DEI, discrimination is bound to happen.

What is in the proposed law?

H. 4289 prohibits universities and technical colleges from considering applicants stances on anything related to DEI. Additionally, students and faculty cannot be treated differently based on these stances.

The bill requires colleges to give reports to lawmakers on programs related to DEI, including the faculty, costs and any complaints about hiring and enrollment decisions made. The reporting would also include how these issues are resolved.

The bill doesn’t remove funding from DEI programs. It also does not specify what should or could be taught. The bill also states that “Nothing in this provision prohibits a public institution of higher learning from complying with federal law or applicable court order, or acting against a student, faculty member, or employee for violations of federal or state law or requiring a student, faculty member, or employee to comply with federal or state law, including anti-discrimination laws.”

The bill goes on to say it also does not prohibit a higher learning center, employee or faculty from “applying for a grant or complying with the terms of accreditation by an accrediting agency, submitting to the grantor or accrediting agency a statement that highlights the institution’s work in supporting student populations or certifying compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.”

Does SC have a problem with discrimination at its colleges?

Multiple Democrats asked where is discrimination occurring? Is there evidence that it’s happening in South Carolina?

Answers varied. Rep. Adam Morgan, R-Greenville, said he had received letters from students who had been “doxed” when they were graded based on viewpoints and from faculty who had been required to go through mandatory DEI training. Morgan told the full House committee on higher education that while South Carolina hasn’t had a “bombshell” report, states like Texas did. The University of Texas in Austin had pushed faculty into certain viewpoints, silenced certain speech and compelled other speech, Morgan said. He said national groups pushed for language to get DEI offices in all colleges.

What is DEI?

During discussion on the House floor, Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, pointed out DEI was not defined anywhere in the bill, so how did advocates even know what it was?

“Nobody in here could even tell me what diversity, equity and inclusion even is,” Johnson said. “Diversity and inclusion is not something to be scared of. Understand what you’re doing here, you’re putting an attack on all the institutions on which you claim to love so much.”

Johnson proposed an amendment that would define DEI, which failed.

Johnson warned programs, research, scholarships, groups and activities would cease. He cited scholarships and programs for students of all backgrounds, races, sexual orientation, cultures and more that would be stripped without DEI. He said the Spectra program at the College of Charleston helped him while a student there and he fears it will stop under the bill.

“You’re not valued in South Carolina,” Rep. John King, D-York, said is how college athletes and students will view S.C. colleges. “Your diversity, equity and inclusion is not valued in South Carolina. Athletes who may read this or see this on TV, stay away from South Carolina. Because you are not valued in this state. Go where you’re included, and go where you are valued.”

The bill passed 84 to 30.

This story was originally published March 28, 2024 at 5:30 AM.