spot_imgspot_img

California professors sue to block DEI teaching and tenure mandates

(The Center Square) – The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, better known as FIRE, filed a lawsuit on behalf of six California community college professors to stop statewide regulations adopted in March of 2023 requiring they “espouse and teach politicized conceptions of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.’ “

These new regulations amended Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations to include diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility standards in the evaluation and tenure review of employees. According to the lawsuit, this means the more than 54,000 professors who teach within the California community college system will be required to include “anti-racist” perspectives into their teaching. Professors not only would have to write diversity statements and develop “knowledge of the intersectionality of social identities and the multiple axes of oppression that people from different racial, ethnic and other minoritized groups face,” but their performance and tenure would even be evaluated on their commitment and promotion of this viewpoint.

Despite promoting the inclusion of minority voices, the state also warns professors not to “weaponize academic freedom” to “inflict curricular trauma on our students,” suggesting, according to plaintiff Loren Palsgaard, a professor of English at Madera Community College, that mandated viewpoints would not be able to be balanced by competing beliefs.

“Hearing uncomfortable ideas is not ‘curricular trauma,’ and teaching all sides of an issue is not ‘weaponizing’ academic freedom,” said Palsgaard. “That’s just called ‘education.”

In a state-published glossary of DEI terms, California claims color-blindess is a problem because it “perpetuates existing racial inequities and denies systematic racism” and that merit “upholds race-based structural inequality” and “protects White privilege under the guise of standards.”

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the body responsible for approving these new regulations, is a 17-member body appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_imgspot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Survey: Small business owners optimistic heading into holiday shopping season

(The Center Square) – Although a new survey reveals...

Delaware-based group spends thousands on candidates across Illinois

(The Center Square) – Several Illinois races are being...

Voters have high number of transit measures in 2024

Voters will decide on $59.2 billion in dedicated, multi-year...

Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on administrative leave

(The Center Square) – Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian...

California goods inflation down, wages up, fueling possible housing bubble

(The Center Square) - According to new reports from...

Census: Arizona remains a top destination for moving Americans

(The Center Square)— New estimates from the U.S. Census...

Ohio school district adopts controversial ‘Grading for Equity’ policies

A school district outside Cleveland, Ohio, will have staff...

More like this
Related

Survey: Small business owners optimistic heading into holiday shopping season

(The Center Square) – Although a new survey reveals...

Delaware-based group spends thousands on candidates across Illinois

(The Center Square) – Several Illinois races are being...

Voters have high number of transit measures in 2024

Voters will decide on $59.2 billion in dedicated, multi-year...

Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on administrative leave

(The Center Square) – Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian...