Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) greatly restricts state universities’ ability to cultivate diversity and promote equitable access to higher education. The heavily debated bill has caused the shuttering of DEI offices at public universities throughout the state.

The Specifics of Texas Senate Bill 17

SB 17 prohibits the following at public universities in the state of Texas:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion-oriented programs or employees
• Mandatory diversity training related to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation
• Soliciting DEI statements or giving preference based on DEI statements
• Preferencing job applicants based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin

 

Initial Response to Texas Senate Bill 17

Some colleges initially attempted compliance by shifting the titles of their diversity offices, utilizing words like, “belonging,” “community engagement,” and “student development” in new titles. However, these renames are being met with a doubling-down in enforcement. In March 2024, Governor Greg Abbott announced that more compliance measures will be implemented to ensure universities are “held accountable for disregarding SB 17.” As a result, more universities are closing their diversity offices, and additional layoffs of DEI-related staff are expected through the end of the school year.

What’s Not Impacted by SB 17

To date, SB 17 does not prohibit student organizations based on identity. Universities may continue to support student organizations (even if they are identity based) as long as they act neutrally and don’t consider identity in its decisions. Types of allowed support include funding, staff and faculty advisement, access to facilities, and “features” such as links on university websites and materials. Additionally, short-term speakers hosted by student organizations cannot be denied access by a university because they intend to conduct DEI programming.

What’s the Long-Term Impact of SB 17

Experts question whether the closure of DEI programs will hamper efforts to achieve educational equity. 

“The consequences range from the unknown to the dire,” said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. “Senate Bill 17 will be a giant step backward in our quest for equal opportunity and equal worth for all. … I worry that stifling diversity, equity and inclusion on our academic campuses … will breed the negative attitudes and behaviors typically attributed to ignoramuses while stifling the development of tolerant, enlightened communities.”

Combined with the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, anti-DEI laws across the country will have an immediate impact on employers who have partnered with DEI offices in the past. These impacts aren’t isolated to Texas, with 9 additional states passing legislation restricting DEI: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming. Additionally, President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration is expected to intensify the ongoing efforts to roll back DEI initiatives nationwide.

University Recruiting leaders now face the challenge of developing new strategies to rebuild DEI initiatives as partnerships they previously relied on are disappearing. Leaders in Early Talent teams report that long-standing partnerships are coming into question, as they face resistance from colleges for hosting or even advertising DEI-related events and initiatives.

The passage of Texas Senate Bill 17 marks a significant shift in the landscape of higher education in Texas. While the long-term effects of the bill continue to unfold, its immediate impact on DEI initiatives and university communities is profound.

Introducing the Early Career Legal Tracker

In light of evolving legal standards around hiring practices, Veris Insights has developed the Early Career Legal Tracker. This tool helps our University Recruiting Council members stay informed about key legislation and legal developments impacting early career recruiting, including:

• Anti-DEI lawsuits like SB 17
• Age discrimination laws
• Pay transparency mandates
• The use of AI in hiring

 

The tracker helps UR teams to:

 

• Stay compliant with both current and upcoming regulations
• Monitor trends and understand their hiring implications
• Generate customized reports by region or legal topic