Bill faces criticism for ‘censorship’
Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill this month prohibiting the state’s public colleges from engaging in “any diversity, equity or inclusion program, activity or policy.”
DEI “means any program, activity or policy that promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals or classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity or national origin,” House Bill 147 states.
The bill also bans “institutional discrimination,” which it defines as a policy or practice that asserts the superiority or inferiority of individuals based on “race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.” Public colleges cannot engage in practices that discriminate, assign blame, or require guilt acknowledgment based on these characteristics, the bill states.
Additionally, Wyoming’s community colleges and the University of Wyoming, the state’s only public university, are prohibited from promoting the idea that meritocracy or traits such as a strong work ethic are inherently racist or sexist.
In a news release published Friday, PEN America, a group that advocates for freedom of expression in writing, condemned the new law for engaging in “censorship.”
“Governor Gordon has claimed HB 147 takes a ‘precise, enforceable and legally sound approach’ to DEI policy in the state’s public institutions, but that’s hard to square with a law that includes both an educational gag order, and a prohibition on any sort of activity or program which recognizes the groups and attributes that make up American society,” Amy Reid, a PEN America senior manager, stated.
“This incredibly vague and broad law is a tool for censorship and suppression across the state. There will be no winners in this kind of game,” she stated.
She also stated Gov. Gordon recently vetoed another anti-DEI bill, SF 103, as it would “limit curriculum and course requirements […] with a sledgehammer without regard to what gets smashed.” However, the new law imposes similar “censorship,” Reid stated.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the governor told Inside Higher Ed Gordon “believes HB 147 contains definitions and balanced restrictions that ensure accountability without creating unnecessary legal ambiguities or unintended consequences.”
The new law aligns with President Donald Trump’s recent executive order prohibiting federally funded institutions from engaging in DEI practices.
Further, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday that it has launched Title VI investigations into 45 schools, including the University of Wyoming, for reportedly using “race-exclusionary practices” in their graduate programs, The College Fix previously reported.
The universities have been accused of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act through partnerships with “The Ph.D. Project,” a nonprofit that aims to provide minority students with networking opportunities and help them earn a Ph.D.
Just hours after the department announced the investigations, the UW cut ties with the nonprofit, WyoFile reported.
The university “was already looking into the Ph.D Project’s alleged ‘race-exclusionary’ approach” as part of a comprehensive review to eliminate DEI practices that began in 2024, the outlet reported.
Last year, the UW dismantled its DEI office under legislative pressure. It also eliminated the requirement for job candidates to provide DEI statements and stopped evaluating employees’ dedication to DEI during annual performance reviews.
The UW Board of Trustees implemented the changes in response to legislative measures that cut $1.73 million from the university’s budget.
MORE: Amherst College Title IX office goes after student following anti-DEI op-ed
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Stone University of Wyoming sign outside campus in Laramie; Paul_Brady_Photography/Shutterstock
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