A measure that would ban the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda in higher education in North Carolina could soon be up for a final vote in the state House after clearing a key committee on June 24.
Under Senate Bill 588, public colleges and universities would be required to eliminate offices and staff dedicated to DEI initiatives. The bill prohibits promoting “divisive concepts,” such as the idea of systemic racism or moral culpability based on race or gender. Institutions would be barred from requiring faculty, staff, or students to affirm any DEI-based beliefs. Additionally, the measure would eliminate processes for reporting incidents described as “offensive or unwanted speech.”
Critics argue the bill would stifle academic freedom, while proponents see it as a way to restore focus on the core missions of higher education, including academic excellence and the free exchange of ideas.
Sen. Brad Overcash, R-Gaston, one of the bill’s primary supporters, pointed out examples of what he believes are divisive practices occurring in academic settings. Citing a general education course at UNC that required students to study the book “So You Want to Talk About Race,” Overcash highlighted passages he sees as problematic.
“If you’re white in a white supremacist society, you are racist. If you are male in a patriarchy, you are sexist. If you’re able-bodied, you are ableist,” Overcash said. He criticized such materials for making sweeping generalizations, which he believes detract from the principles of critical thinking and intellectual rigor.
“In recent years, we’ve seen these discriminatory practices and divisive concepts that have come into our campuses, divided our student bodies, divided our faculty, and, frankly, distracted our UNC System and Community College System from the goals of academic excellence, critical thinking, and the free exchange of ideas,” Overcash added.
Opponents of SB 558 fear the bill will have far-reaching, negative implications on higher education in North Carolina.
“The real impact of this bill is going to be to have a chilling effect on teaching and exploring and grappling with difficult and uncomfortable topics… You cannot promote freedom of speech by restricting it. You cannot promote freedom of thought by restricting it,” said Rep. Brandon Lofton, D-Mecklenburg.
SB 588 passed the NC Senate in April in a party-line vote.
Similar legislation has been on the move in the General Assembly this week. House Bill 171 would bar state agencies from promoting, supporting, funding, or maintaining DEI programs, including in hiring, staffing, or training. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 227 aims to remove DEI offices, staff, and divisive concepts from schools, ensuring education focuses on core curriculum without promoting ideologies deemed inconsistent with equality.