More than 300 employees across the state of Texas have been let go from their jobs in the wake of Senate Bill 17, the state’s effective ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, commonly referred to as DEI. The law, which went into effect in January 2024, drew widespread attention and coverage, though some of its effects were felt later than that, after the law’s author, State Senator Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, sent a letter to public universities across the state in late March.
“While I am encouraged by the progress I have seen from many institutions of higher education in implementing SB 17, I am deeply concerned with the possibility that many institutions may choose to merely rename their offices or employee titles,” Creighton wrote in the letter.
Seven days after that letter’s publication, the University of Texas at Austin announced it would close its Division of Campus and Community Engagement and eliminate several positions across the university. University officials said many of those faculty and staff were offered the opportunity to interview for other positions at the university.
In this CBS Austin special, Texas state officials and university faculty discuss Senate Bill 17 and its effects on higher education.