HB999 / SB266: An attack on higher education

By Ramona Smith •

Florida Legislative HB999 / SB266 could effectively remove all funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public institutions of higher education.

Naya Mondroseh, freshman marine biology major, believes that the bill reduces diversity and the quality of student life on campus.

“By trying to pass this bill, [Gov. Ron DeSantis] is reducing diversity on campuses and getting rid of the college experiences for minority students,” Mondroseh said. “By reducing this experience for these other students, it is reducing the quality of life on campus for everyone.”

HB999 / SB266 allows board members implemented by the state to hire, review tenure and fi re academics. This is dangerous because if professors do not follow the vague guidelines given by the bill, they have the potential to be fired.

The bills would also affect minorities in fraternities and sororities.

“This is a blatant disregard for American values because of the censorship for different subjects, as well as disenfranchising a lot of clubs and institutions,” Anthony Ficalora, freshman business major, said. “We are college students, we pay our tuition, we should choose.”

HB999 / SB266 would also require state colleges and universities to remove from its programs any major or minor that is based on or otherwise utilizes methodologies associated with critical theory. This includes critical race theory, critical ethnic studies, radical feminist theory, queer theory, critical social justice and more.

Although the bill only pertains to public institutions and not private ones like NSU, it is clear that if passed, it would change college life as we know it. As college students, we still have the opportunity to voice our opinion and prevent the bills from being implemented by contacting our Florida representatives and protesting. It is our job as Florida residents to fight and prevent this bill from passing.