Oklahoma governor signs executive order defunding DEI efforts in public colleges

Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed an executive order that defunds diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs in state agencies, including public colleges.

The executive order, signed Wednesday, prohibits state funding and state “property or resources” from being used for such efforts.

Oklahoma now joins several other Republican-led states that have moved to curb DEI programs.

While proponents of DEI programs argue that they help marginalized communities and increase diversity in the classroom and workforce, critics have slammed DEI efforts, calling them discriminatory.

“In Oklahoma, we’re going to encourage equal opportunity, rather than promising equal outcomes,” Stitt said in a news release. “Encouraging our workforce, economy, and education systems to flourish means shifting focus away from exclusivity and discrimination, and toward opportunity and merit.”

“We’re taking politics out of education and focusing on preparing students for the workforce,” he added.

The Oklahoma executive order also prohibits state resources from being used to require any diversity training and effectively bans mandatory diversity statements for employment and mandatory pronoun disclosure.

The state’s agencies have also been directed to conduct a review of DEI programs, eliminate “non-critical personnel” and be compliant with the order by May 31.

However, the measure makes it clear that the restrictions do not apply to “scholarly research,” student organization activities, and any procedure or class in compliance with other state or federal laws or that are required to retain a college’s accreditation.

CNN has reached out to the governor’s office to inquire about how many agencies and colleges this order is expected to impact, and if Stitt is expecting any…