Gov. Stitt signs ban on DEI funding at Oklahoma colleges, universities into law

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill banning the use of state funds for “diversity, equity and inclusion” jobs, activities or programs at Oklahoma college and university campuses. 

Senate Bill 796 also prohibits schools from requiring DEI statements on applications, disclosure of pronouns, and DEI-related training or education.   

Critics of the bill who debated against its passage previously said the measure claws back at advancements in civil rights and inclusion. Democrats debating against the bill said they were worried the ban would bleed into other inclusion programs like Oklahoma Promise and affect access to students with disabilities. 

Supporters said that DEI discriminates against white men and merit-based outcomes.

SB 796, Oklahoma DEI funding ban at universities, signed into law