The national free speech organization Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) said in a press release Wednesday afternoon that Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) violates the First Amendment.
DEI has become shorthand for efforts from organizations like universities and companies to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people.
Tuesday, in one of his first official acts as governor, Morrisey signed an executive order for the “cessation of DEI.”
The order argues DEI policies have led to preferential treatment and even discrimination. It bars entities receiving state funds from having DEI programs or positions, or mandating education or training that “promotes or encourages the granting of preferences based on” demographics.
FIRE argues the order will restrict classroom discussion in state universities, and calls on Morrisey to rescind or amend the Executive Order to make clear that it does not affect higher education classroom instruction.
Thursday, some higher education institutions appeared to already be complying with the order.
The url marshall.edu/diversity redirected to Marshall University’s homepage or resulted in a 404 error. However, sections of the page remained intact, including the The President’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission statement.
Similarly, the page for Shepherd University’s Office for Diversity and Equity led to a “Page Not Found” notice, although pages for the university’s Diversity and Equity Committee remained active.
West Virginia University’s Division of Diversity, Equity And Inclusion webpage remained up in its entirety at the time of publication.