Pavan Acharya

1 month ago | texastribune.org | Maria Mendez |Pavan Acharya |Cecilia Le

The term DEI — short for diversity, equity and inclusion — typically refers to efforts that public and private institutions employ to comply with longstanding laws that prohibit discrimination based on characteristics like race or sex. But the term has become highly politicized in recent years. The current division over DEI is partially fueled by the lack of a standard definition for the term.

1 month ago | texastribune.org | Pavan Acharya |Maria Mendez

Key coverage Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Over the past year, University of Texas at Austin senior Kam McQueen has had a first-hand look at what happens when the state bans diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public colleges. The school’s multicultural center, which hosted six groups that supported students of color, formally closed in January 2024.

1 month ago | inkl.com | Pavan Acharya |Maria Mendez |María Mendez |Maria Méndez

The school’s multicultural center, which hosted six groups that supported students of color, formally closed in January 2024. University funding quickly evaporated for several student groups the center sponsored — like the Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color and Allies and Afrikan American Affairs organizations — leaving them to find financial support elsewhere. For McQueen, a Black and queer student, it was a blow on a campus where just 4.5% of students are Black.

1 month ago | inkl.com | Maria Mendez |María Mendez |Maria Méndez |Pavan Acharya |Cecilia Le

“DEI is just the broad term for these organizational frameworks designed to ensure fair treatment of all kinds of groups in the workplace, whether it be racial groups or on the basis of race or sex or disability or veteran status or whatever we're talking about,” said Grant Hayden, a professor at the Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. Advocates say DEI initiatives provide support for marginalized and underrepresented groups in higher education and the workforce.

1 month ago | chronicle-tribune.com | Robert Downen |Pavan Acharya

The Texas Senate on Tuesday advanced bills that would require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments and allow districts to provide students with time to pray during school hours. Senators gave final approval to Senate Bill 11, the school prayer bill, on a 23-7 vote. It now heads to the Texas House for consideration. All Republican senators and three Democrats — Royce West of Dallas, Judith Zaffirini of Laredo and Juan Hinojosa of McAllen — voted for the bill.