OK Secretary Of Education Requests Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Spending From Universities

The Oklahoma Secretary of Education wants to know how much universities are paying for Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs. 

Ryan Walters said that money should be funneled elsewhere. News 9’s Feliz Romero sat down with both sides of the argument to gather the story.  

“We need to move away from DEI programs and move into workforce initiatives,” said Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Secretary of Education. 

In a letter to Universities the Education Secretary asked for a full outline of ten years of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion spending.  

“When I hear people who are in the seat of privilege, they are a leader, and they say that we don’t need diversity and inclusion, and programs that would enhance belonging, it is short sighted,” said Danne Johnson, a Certified Diversity Professional.  

“We want to see where our colleges are spending their money and are they spending it on these programs or are they spending it on workforce initiatives. Are they training our young people so they can enter a job and make money?” said Walters.  

The Secretary of Education is also requesting a copy of materials that are being used in these programs. 

Universities were given one week to prepare the information by February 1, 2023.  

“DEI programs help us to recognize diversity, to talk about inclusion and then to talk about equity with the long gain, the goal in front of us is to create spaces where we have belonging. Where everybody feels like they are a valued partner in the room,” said Johnson.  

While Walters said diversity and inclusion don’t prepare college students for successful careers, Danne Johnson argued the dangers that come with leaving these topics behind.    

“Do we want DEI, diversity equity and inclusion programs, or do we want our investment to go towards pathways that equal jobs and a better way of life for all Oklahomans,” he said.   

“If you look at top performing corporations, they are more diverse and they have a greater sense of inclusion and belonging. They are innovators, they are creative, they contribute to the bottom line,” she said.  

When asked what kind of message this sends to Oklahomans of color or students of color Johnson said, “I think the message is much broader than that, it sends the broadest community are people who are not people of color, they receive the message that those are not important topics.”   

When asked the same question Walters said, “The best thing for someone in poverty is to get skills that are employable.” 

As a consultant in this area, Johnson believes there may not be much data when they crunch the numbers.  

“We do a lot of talk about DEI programming, but it is unusual to find institutions that spend large amounts of their budgets in that area. Most often institutions are looking for someone to do it on the cheap or a one-day training, or to have something online as opposed to really working to change hearts, minds, and policy,” she said.  

“It’s important that we see in a very transparent way how our institutions are spending their dollars,” said Walters.