Texas A&M University Suspends Several Scholarships Due to DEI Ban

COLLEGE STATION, Texas

Texas A&M University has put dozens of scholarships on hold due to requirements and language that violate certain guidelines laid down in Senate Bill 17, commonly known as the DEI ban. The law requires public universities to close their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and bans training and policies in line with DEI practices.

Overview of the DEI Ban

The DEI initiatives were created initially to support groups that have been historically discriminated against or underrepresented. With the enactment of SB 17, a total of 57 scholarships are under review by the system audit office and have been placed on hold. The university officials stated that this suspension does not impact students as the scholarships have not yet been distributed.

Effect on Specific Scholarships

Many of the scholarships had a preference for female applicants. Under SB 17, university-offered scholarships cannot have requirements or consider factors such as national origin, sex, race, color, or ethnicity. However, this law does not affect programs for first-generation students, veterans, or economically disadvantaged students.

Changes Required in Scholarships

The law requires the removal of the word “diversity” from the title of scholarships and the elimination of any diversity-related aspects or criteria. Assistant Vice President of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Delisa Falks, stated that they are collaborating with scholarship donors to remove the non-compliant language. It is a move directly aimed at making scholarships inclusive for any Texas A&M student who wishes to apply.

Impact on Private Organizations

The SB 17 rules do not apply to scholarships offered by private organizations. However, organizations such as the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) have declared they are feeling the impact. According to the interim director of TAME, Kiyomi Beach, the organization has had to reduce the number of scholarships they offer due to the loss of university partners following SB 17’s implementation.

The Future of the Suspended Scholarships

Falks stated that once the review process to align the affected scholarships with SB 17’s requirements is accomplished, they will be eligible to be awarded to students. Amidst all the changes, the primary goal remains the same – to provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or race.