Daily Caller

Glenn Youngkin And Virginia Universities Are In Bitter Battle Over Future Of Diversity, Equity And Inclusion

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is in a dispute with the state's colleges and universities over the use of taxpayer funds to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Youngkin administration has communicated with institutions such as George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University regarding potential left-wing DEI influences on students and the high costs of maintaining DEI positions. Despite Youngkin's efforts to limit DEI funding, Virginia colleges continue to back such initiatives. According to a Heritage Foundation report, Virginia public universities have the largest DEI bureaucracies in the country. Youngkin's administration requested syllabi from these universities to evaluate whether students are required to take classes promoting left-wing ideas and also raised concerns about rising costs associated with DEI administrative offices. Youngkin faces political opposition from the Democrat-controlled state legislature, and a recent Supreme Court ruling on race considerations in admissions further complicates DEI initiatives in higher education.