Florida’s SB 266, embodies provisions that will reorient higher education within the state. The law increases the role of the Board of Governors in overseeing the State University System, approving budgets, and ensuring compliance with state laws.
The bill emphasizes increasing research expenditures to fuel economic growth, constraints fund allocation to ensure fiscal accountability, and revises general education core courses for alignment with workforce demands.
Despite it being a basic piece of legislation dealing with administrative and financial restructuring, its potential impact on the state’s higher education diversity, equity, and inclusion is huge—especially for the likes of FAMU.
Auriel Patton, a FAMU senior, expressed her concerns that the legislation may limit the exposure to diverse voices:
“With these changes, I do believe that our curriculum might lose the diversity in voices that makes our education meaningful. I fear underrepresented students, like me, will lose access to critical perspectives that help shape our understanding of the world.”.
Some of these sentiments were echoed by faculty member Kenya Floyd, who underscored the importance of having institutional support for DEI.
“DEI is not an add-on; it is an integral part of our mission, more so at FAMU. Policies supporting, not constraining, such practices are needed to serve our diverse student body,” Floyd said.
Florida’s universities must navigate a balance between competitiveness, innovation, and equitable access for all students and faculty.
William Shelton, a FAMU professor, highlighted the stakes, stating, “If we’re truly committed to preparing students for the real world, our policies need to reflect the diversity of that world. Legislation should help us foster inclusivity, not hinder it.”
More broadly, SB 266 is in step with national trends toward promoting research and innovation but out of step with how most states approach DEI. Florida’s law, in its omission of dedicated DEI funding, might create the same issues in ensuring that the efforts of DEI are not ignored.
SB 266 implications on DEI are another aspect that has to be very, very closely monitored. By taking proactive actions and continuing assessment, FAMU and other institutions are able to create an inclusive educational landscape for all students, but particularly for those from historically marginalized backgrounds.