He has now signed legislation that, among other things,
restricts certain topics from being taught in general education courses, the lower-level classes that all students must take for their degrees. It also expands the hiring and firing powers of university boards and presidents, limits protections for tenured faculty members and prohibits spending related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs beyond what is required by accreditors.
Regarding the restricted topics, the measure borrows language from last year’s Individual Freedom Act, also known as the Stop Woke Act. It targets “theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political and economic inequities.” While those ideas will be kept out of general education courses on Florida campuses, they could be allowed in higher-level or elective courses, subject to review by the Board of Governors for universities or the State Board of Education for colleges.
I expect SB 266 to be struck down as unconstitutional by the courts. The only action he's taken that is not unconstitutional, and actually protects constitutional rights, is eliminating the use of "diversity statements" in employment. Of course, as his other actions make clear, his motivation for doing so has nothing to do with a commitment to constitutional rights or academic freedom. It's just an accidental by-product of his illiberal agenda.
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