Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

DEI is an organizational framework that aims to promote fair treatment and full participation for all, particularly those who have historically been underrepresented or discriminated against.

Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) wants that framework eliminated at publicly-funded Pennsylvania colleges and universities.

In a co-sponsorship memoranda, Mackenzie, who is also the mother of U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-7), says she wants to “ensure our publicly funded institutions remain focused on their core purpose: education.”

The 1972 graduate of Cedar Crest College in Allentown is critical of higher education in its present form, saying that administrations have abandoned merit-based approaches for new programs that she says hampers “free speech and pushing political agenda on our college students.”

Introduced as House Bill 987, her proposed legislation would close DEI offices at all state-funded colleges and universities and “put an end to all activities that discriminate against students based on their race, ethnicity, or gender.” It would also prohibit diversity statements for job applicants at Pennsylvania higher education institutions and would eliminate mandatory DEI training for higher education staff.

The bill also has six other GOP lawmakers as co-sponsors – Reps. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan), Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), Stephenie Scialabba (R-Butler), Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny/ Washington), Jacob Banta (R-Erie) and David Zimmerman (R-Berks/Lancaster)

“We owe it to students and the taxpayers that fund higher education to ensure our state-funded higher education system prepares students for a lifetime of success,” she wrote in the memo.

President Donald Trump has made significant moves to rid the government of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, but a judge has blocked a part of his effort that pertains to contractors.

U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson issued a preliminary injunction Feb. 21 to the part of Trump’s order to terminate federal grants or contracts the administration views as “equity-related.” Abelson said the order was vague and that people and organizations have no reasonable way to know what they can do to bring their grants into compliance.

Legal organization Democracy Forward, which has frequently challenged the Trump administration, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, and the city of Baltimore.