FAU students protest state efforts to end diversity programs

Diversity has long been a source of pride for Florida Atlantic University, but it’s now turning into a point of contention.

About 50 students and faculty members rallied in front of the administration building of the Boca Raton school chanting “We are anti-racist,” “We are pro-LGBTQ” and other messages.

They were protesting House Bill 999, which would remove state funding for programs and courses that promote diversity, equity and inclusion unless required by federal law or regulations.

For years, FAU has touted itself as “the most diverse university in Florida,” with a student population that’s 39% white, 29% Hispanic, 20% Black and 4% Asian.

Students voice their opposition to Florida House Bill 999 during a protest at the Kenneth R. Williams Administration Building at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Wednesday. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

But protesters said FAU’s diversity — and the well-being of students — are now under attack.

It remains to be seen how broadly universities would apply the proposed law. Protesters say the bill sends a chilling effect not only on what’s taught by faculty, but on student programming, multicultural centers, sexual health education and Black fraternities and sororities that carry out a mission of social justice.

“We have so many organizations. If this bill gets passed, everything is going to get gutted,” Chelsea Burry, a 19-year-old freshman from Miramar, predicted. “What clubs don’t have to do with people that are different than everyone else? I don’t think people are raising the alarm enough.”

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Bill sponsor Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, downplayed the effect the law would have on student clubs and programs during a Tuesday meeting of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Subcommittee, where the bill sailed through along party lines.

“As far as purely faculty advisory committees, they would be included in the bill, but student groups can continue to operate how they see fit,” subject to existing university rules governing all student groups, Andrade said at the meeting.

DeSantis has targeted diversity programs, calling them a drain on resources and forcing a far-left dogma on students and faculty.

A survey of the state’s 12 universities conducted by the governor’s office identified a combined spending of $34.5 million on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and faculty, with $20.7 million coming from the state, less than 1% of those universities’ budgets.

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An FAU document lists about $904,000 total spent on diversity and equity efforts, about $261,000 of which comes from grants and sources other than state dollars.

Marcel Whyne, an 18-year-old sophomore who is Black and transgender, said he’s an intern at FAU’s Center for Inclusion Diversity Education and Advocacy, which he said includes a lounge with resources on such topics as sexual health, sexual violence and multicultural and LGBTQ issues.

“We’re seeing a lot of nervousness. People think they won’t have that safe space anymore, and they won’t have a place to go to find people like them,” Whyne said.

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Jodie Boisvert, 35, said she worries she won’t be able to complete her doctorate in the culture, society and politics track of FAU’s comparative studies program. She said she studying ways to help society become anti-racist.

“If this bill passes, I won’t be able to complete my PhD, and a lot of students are in the same boat,” she said. “They’re studying women, gender and sexuality and won’t be able to finish their degrees.

Boisvert said the bill makes no mention of whether existing students will be grandfathered in, and she hasn’t been able to get clarity from the university. A university spokesman didn’t comment specifically on the possible effects of the proposed bill.

“FAU greatly encourages civil discourse and civic engagement, and the university has a proud history in the free exchange of ideas, free thinking and creativity,” FAU spokesman Joshua Glanzer said. “Academic freedom and freedom of speech are cornerstones of this university, as they are throughout higher education.

“As a public university, FAU’s practices are always aligned with state and federal legislation, and the appropriate accreditation standards,” Glanzer said. “The university firmly supports the students’ right to peacefully and lawfully protest today, as they did.”